LEXINGTON, Ky. ? Former Kentucky center Matt McCutchan has rejoined his alma mater as a graduate assistant coach.
McCutchan will work with the offense, and his duties include analysis of opponent film, preparing scouting reports, conducting “self scout” of UK tendencies, overseeing the offensive scout team, and assisting with on-campus recruiting. He also will help coach the Wildcat offensive line.
“I’m very pleased to get a former player who was part of the transition of our program,” Coach Rich Brooks. “Obviously, he played a role in the growth of our offense through the 2006 season. Matt wasn’t the biggest lineman, but he was one of the best in the SEC because of his hard work and dedication. Those are the qualities you look for in coaches.”
McCutchan spent the last year attending a mini-camp with the Kansas City Chiefs and a training camp with the Los Angeles Avengers. He also was an assistant offensive line coach at his alma mater, Lebanon (Ohio) High School, during the 2007 season.
McCutchan was a three-year starter (2004-06) for Kentucky after transferring from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. He began as a walk-on but eventually earned a scholarship, starting in all but one of his 31 career games. Under McCutchan’s leadership in the offensive line, the Wildcats defeated Clemson in the 2006 Music City Bowl. He was twice named the Southeastern Conference Lineman of the Week during his career and he earned UK’s Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman award in 2005.
Prior to Kentucky, McCutchan attended the Naval Academy Preparatory School in 2000 and played right guard. He spent the 2001 and 2002 seasons at the Naval Academy but did not see varsity action due to injuries. He received a rare sixth season to complete his eligibility due to the injuries sustained at the Academy.
McCutchan, a member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll in 2005, graduated in 2006 with a degree in economics. He is currently working on a master’s degree in sport leadership.
A native of Lebanon, Ohio, McCutchan attended Lebanon High School where he was first-team all-state as a junior and second-team all-state as a senior, playing tackle on offense and tackle and end on defense.
McCutchan replaces Gerad Parker, who accepted an assistant coaching position at Tennessee-Martin.
Brown Invited to NCAA Expert Coaches Academy: University of Kentucky defensive coordinator Steve Brown was invited to attend the NCAA Expert Coaches Academy this weekend in Dallas, Texas.
The Expert Coaches Academy is an NCAA program that addresses the critical shortage of ethnic minorities in head coaching positions in the sport of college football, primarily at the Division I level. Though the NCAA National Office does not have hiring authority over its member colleges and universities, the office is able to provide programming that better prepares coaches for many of the issues they will experience at the head coaching level through seminars and networking opportunities with current head coaches.
Topics covered at the academy include communications, fiscal responsibilities, building a successful program, compliance and academics.
Of the current 119 Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) head football coaches, six are African-American, one is Asian/ Pacific Islander, and one is Latino. Three percent of head football coaches in all NCAA divisions are ethnic minorities, excluding the historically black coaches and universities.
Brown is entering his sixth year at Kentucky, his second as defensive coordinator. The Wildcats made noticeable improvement in his first year as coordinator, lowering yardage allowed by almost 60 yards per game.
With Brown and Joker Phillips, Kentucky is the first school in Southeastern Conference history to have African-American defensive and offensive coordinators at the same time. On the suggestion of current Wildcat coach Rich Brooks, Phillips has been designated as UK’s head coach of the future following Brooks’ eventual retirement.
Lewis Goes from Wildcats to Tiger-Cats: Former Kentucky defensive end Dominic Lewis has signed a contract with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League.
Lewis’ senior season was his best, totaling 37 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, three quarterback sacks, two fumbles caused and three pass breakups. His best game came in the upset of No. 1-ranked LSU when he made four tackles, including a quarterback sack, and pressured the QB throughout the game. Lewis’ career totals feature 67 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and five quarterback sacks as he helped the Wildcats capture consecutive championships of the 2006 and 2007 Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl.
Lewis, a product of John Hardin High School in Radcliff, Ky., came to UK as a tight end. He also played tailback and fullback before finding his niche as a defensive end during his sophomore season. Lewis is nearing completion of his degree in electrical engineering.
Lewis becomes the eighth senior from the 2007 team to enter professional football, joining National Football League players Jacob Tamme (Indianapolis), Keenan Burton (St. Louis), Andr? Woodson (New York Giants), Steve Johnson (Buffalo), Rafael Little (Tennessee), Eric Scott (Tennessee) and Wesley Woodyard (Denver).
