Kentucky associate head coach Vince Marrow is one of the best recruiters in college football. There is no denying that. The recipe is simple for the highest-paid tight ends coach in college football.
The 55-year-old Youngstown native has a passion for his job and that has led to great results at Nebraska and Kentucky. On Friday, Vince Marrow spoke with 247 Sports‘ Carl Reed and Smoke Dixon to discuss his coaching career. Marrow’s secret sauce is pretty simple.
“The reason I recruit at a high level is because I love what I do. I’m going to do this regardless,” said Marrow. “Did it in high school. Basically did it in NFL Europe.”
In the conversation with the former high school coach (Reed) and NFL Scout (Dixon), Vince Marrow discussed his career, advice for younger coaches in the industry, and what specific traits he looks for when on the recruiting trail.
When recruiting high school athletes, Marrow likes to watch prospects play basketball to see players move and compete. The long-time Kentucky assistant also opened up on his relationship with Mark Stoops, why he has stayed in Lexington, and explained why Youngstown is a unique place. The Big Dog is excited for the upcoming season.
Vince Marrow is a fan of Bush Hamdan
At the end of the interview, Vince Marrow was asked for some younger coaches to keep an eye on. The Kentucky assistant immediately mentioned new Kentucky co-defensive coordinator Chris Collins while also acknowledging defensive line coach Anwar Stewart and former Kentucky tight end C.J. Conrad who is now the tight ends coach at Kentucky. Marrow also mentioned new Kentucky offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan.
Marrow appears to be a big fan of the former Boise State play-caller.
“The guy that I really like is Bush Hamdan. The guy that we just hired. He’s a young guy. Was in the NFL some. Now he’s in college and we just hired him as coordinator,” Marrow said. “The guy can relate to players. Can recruit well.”
The former offensive coordinator at Washington and quarterbacks coach at Missouri is inheriting an offense that has undergone some massive play-caller churn. The 38-year-old former Boise State quarterback is attempting to add more college football elements to Kentucky’s pro-style attack and that will likely include more running from the quarterback positions.
Hamdan currently has the faith of the Kentucky coaching staff. Much is riding on Mark Stoops’ latest offensive coordinator hire.