Jimmy Brumbaugh to coach defensive line

Jimmy Brumbaugh has been formally named Kentucky's new defensive line coach, the school announced on Tuesday in a press release. Brumbaugh had previously been the defensive line coach at East Mississippi Community College.

Brumbaugh spent the 2012 season at East Mississippi after serving as an assistnat at Syracuse, coaching the defensive line in 2010 and defensive tackles in 2011. He spent 2008-09 as defensive line coach at Louisiana Tech. Before that, he served as a strength coach at Louisiana State in 2006 and 2007, helping the Tigers win a national championship.

"I think Jimmy will do a tremendous job in player development," UK head coach Mark Stoops said in the release. "It's of major importance to teach defensive line play at the level of expectation that Coach Eliot (defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot) and I have.

"Jimmy comes from the heritage of the legendary Pete Jenkins. Jenkins coached defensive line play for decades in the SEC (including Brumbaugh at Auburn), other colleges and in the National Football League. When I talked with Jimmy, he blew me away with his organization and plan of how he teaches and develops the defensive line."

Brumbaugh played nose tackle for Auburn from 1995-99, compiling 291 career tackles and 15 career sacks while starting 44 games. He was named to the All-SEC Freshman team in 1995, was second team All-SEC in 1996 and was a first team All-SEC pick as a junior. He went on to play professional football with stops in the NFL, XFL and Arena Football League before his coaching career began in 2004.

He spent 2004 coaching at Jacksonville State and 2005 at Tennessee-Chattanooga before leaving for LSU.

"I'm glad to be part of Coach Stoops' vision for the Kentucky program," Brumbaugh said in the release. "Watching his defense this year, and knowing his attention to detail, is exciting. I'm glad to be part of the Big Blue Nation. When you think of the tradition of the SEC, and having played at Kentucky (during the 1995 season), I'm glad to be here and have the opportunity to be in this one-of-a-kind league."

He inherits a unit with two returning starters in Mister Cobble and Donte Rumph, but will have to help transform the group as UK switches from a 3-4 scheme to a 4-3. Cobble and Rumph likely project as defensive tackles in the 4-3, but he'll be breaking in two new starters at defensive end. Juniors Alvin Dupree and Mike Douglas could open the spring atop the depth chart at defensive end.

While at East Mississippi, Brumbaugh coached defensive end Za'Darius Smith, a four-star prospect. He currently holds offers from Florida State, Miami, Texas and Texas A&M, among others.

The addition of Brumbaugh means the Wildcats have room for only two more full-time assistants. Neal Brown has been named quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator, John Schlarman has been named offensive line coach, Vince Marrow has been named tight ends coach and Chad Scott will be an offensive assistant whose assignment will be announced later. D.J. Eliot has been named as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach and Bradley Dale Peveto has been named safeties coach and special teams coordinator.