KSR SOURCES: Derrick LeBlanc leaving Kentucky, set to take Arkansas DL job
The Kentucky football program will have to replace yet another key piece of its staff this offseason.
Coming off an 8-5 season and a 37-30 victory in the Belk Bowl, sources tell KSR’s Ryan Lemond that UK defensive line coach Derrick LeBlanc is set to leave the program and take a similar position at Arkansas.
As feared, I just heard that @UKFootball defensive line coach Derrick LeBlanc is in fact leaving UK to take a similar position at @RazorbackFB #BBN
— Ryan Lemond (@ryanlemond) January 3, 2020
Sources tell KSR that LeBlanc took multiple calls last offseason regarding various coaching opportunities and nearly left then.
At Kentucky, LeBlanc’s work on the defensive line helped lead Kentucky to the third-ranked scoring defense (18.4 points per game) in the nation, fifth in total defense (321.6 yards per game) and 11th in rushing defense (148.9 yards per game). In 2018, Kentucky was second in scoring defense (16.8 points per game), fourth in total defense (337.9 yards per game) and eighth in rushing defense (151.6 yards per game). In 2017, Kentucky was eighth in scoring defense (28.2 points per game), 12th in total defense (426.9 yards per game) and 10th in rushing defense (175.3 yards per game).
LeBlanc joins former special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach Dean Hood, who was hired as Murray State’s head coach back in December, as staff departures this offseason.
——–UPDATE——–
A University of Kentucky spokesperson has since confirmed KSR’s report that LeBlanc is set to leave the program for Arkansas.
A University of Kentucky spokesperson confirms that UK defensive line coach Derrick LeBlanc is leaving for Arkansas.@ryanlemond first reported.
— Josh Moore (@JoshMooreHL) January 3, 2020
24 Comments for KSR SOURCES: Derrick LeBlanc leaving Kentucky, set to take Arkansas DL job
Dangit… pay the man and get him back!
When was the last time other SEC programs came after OUR coaches? I’m sure it’s happened but last year w Gran and this year w these guys is a sign of respect for the crew Stoops put together. Just don’t let the Big Dog go!
Does not make sense to leave UK for Ark for same position. Is he from that area? If not he must not want to be here. Should have people lined up wanting to coach that group, easy to trust in Stoops to pick the best one.
Yeah. I was thinking the same thing, but would like continuity for the sake of the players. He wasn’t the primary recruiter on most of the players we signed, so it seems we may need someone to step that part up a bit.
Can’t wait to see who they hire.
Looked it up and he is from Louisiana and wife from Alabama. He did coach in Ark, Miss, North Tex and around that area for years. May just getting closer to home. We will be fine as it now should be a job people want. Thanks for all you did here Coach and good luck.
I read somewhere that his son is playing football in North Texas. Being at Arkansas would make him closer.
If he almost left last year it sounds like UK wasn’t his long term plan.
Why in the world would anyone go to that dumpster fire? My goodness man, you have a chance to be part of something special here and to go to Arkansas is mystifying.
Yeah but he also has a chance at being a DC at Arkansas something that he had no chance at here. He clearly wants a bigger role in college football and more money. Nothing wrong with that.
Sounds to me like Brad White is putting his team together. If he almost left last year he wasn’t part of the long term plan. They did a great job this season and last and thx to them all but the DC gets to put his own group together. He inherited all those guys.
If he almost left last year buh bye. Funny he chose a team that UK beat too. On to bigger better coaches
2017 was last time they even won an SEC game.
Thanks for your service coach, good luck!
Now the interesting part – who’s coming here to take his place?
Nick Saban
Arkansas is a step down, there must be something going on behind the scenes.
Looking for a new job after his first year? Then leave for a lesser job? See ya!
He’s been at UK 2 years.
Year 1: look around after the season.
Year 2: leave for a lesser job after the season.
Positional coaches are always making moves to try to ear that DC or OC position which then leads to a HC job. Plus being close to his roots helps since recruiting base always plays into it. Look for him to be a DC at somewhere like the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns within a year or two. Smart move for a young guy looking to move up.
True. These guys move around a ton. Thanks to Derrick for the job he’s done helping develop these monsters on the line!
Now let’s just make sure Schlarman doesn’t leave. Best OL coach in the country IMO.
It is obvious our Cats were a stop over for him and he wasn’t going to stay long if he had a chance to go . I think Stoops and Co understand that and may already have a few targets they are going to go after. In other words they were not caught flat footed. I look at this as an opportunity to strength that position. This is a very attractive position for an up and coming coach. All is well.
Yes, these head coaches are always going to keep a short list since this happens every year.
On to someone better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Best of luck to Coach Leblanc. Assistant coaches move around quite a bit looking to build their resume or for personal reasons. BBN is great but it’s not the end game for everyone.