Coaches on the Road This Week, Players Return Next Week: The Kentucky coaching staff is back on the road this week as recruiting resumes. Signing day is February 2.
The Wildcat players are in their final week of winter break before classes resume on Jan. 12.
Dunn Resigns: Kentucky assistant coach Paul Dunn has resigned his post in order to take a coaching position at another university. (Dunn?s new school is in the process of formalizing his hire and has not made an official announcement.)
Dunn has been UK?s offensive line coach and run game coordinator the last two seasons. Under Dunn?s guidance, tackle Antonio Hall was a first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection in 2003 and true freshman tackle Aaron Miller was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team in 2004.
?Paul did a great job for us and I?m sorry to see him go,? Coach Rich Brooks said. ?We wish him well.?
Brooks has begun the search for a new assistant coach and there is no timetable for the replacement.
Harp Joins Staff as Graduate Assistant: Former Wildcat tight end Chase Harp has returned to the University of Kentucky as a graduate assistant coach, Coach Rich Brooks has announced. Harp will work with the UK offensive staff and assist Steve Ortmayer in coaching the tight ends and special teams.
?It?s great to get a coach with Kentucky connections who was a key performer on a successful 7-5 team his senior year,? Brooks said. ?(As the son of a coach) He has coaching in his blood and I?m sure he?ll do an outstanding job assisting Coach Ortmayer with the tight ends and special teams.?
Harp played at UK from 1998-2002 and was a tight end for most of his career. He played in 32 games as a Wildcat. He caught 45 passes for 483 yards and five touchdowns. Known for his determination and aggressive play, he developed into a good blocker and strong special-teams performer.
Harp graduated from UK with a degree in kinesiology. In the 2004 season, he worked in the football office at Syracuse as an administrative graduate assistant. Syracuse tied for the Big East Conference championship and advanced to the Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando, Fla.
?I?m excited, as I?ve been looking for this opportunity,? Harp said. ?There?s not a better place to coach than the state and school where my heart is.?
A native Kentuckian, Harp was an all-state quarterback and safety at Danville (Ky.) High School. Playing for his father, Coach Sam Harp, the Admirals won a state championship and two regional titles during his time there.
