Kentucky Football Names Derek Shay Tight Ends Coach

Derek Shay has been named the tight ends coach for the University of Kentucky football team, head coach Mark Stoops announced Friday. Shay has served as the Wildcats’ senior offensive analyst/run game specialist for the past 16 months.

“We are fortunate to have someone already on our staff who has coached tight ends at a high level and led those rooms successfully,” Stoops said. “He is familiar with Coach (Bush) Hamdan’s system and I’m very confident in his abilities. His versatility, football IQ, and on-field toughness will be a valuable addition to our offense.”

Shay, 34, has significant knowledge of the position, having developed his skills at Marshall (2023), LSU (2020, 2021), McNeese State (2019) and Bowling Green State (2014).

In 2024 for the Wildcats, Shay worked specifically with the offensive line and assistant coach Eric Wolford. With his help, the Big Blue Wall helped power an offense that featured 170 yards rushing against the No. 1/1 Bulldogs; a 20-point, 336 yards of total offense and 243 passing yards performance in a win at No. 6/5 Ole Miss; and a 211-yard passing performance at No. 3/3 Texas, the most it allowed to that point in 2024.

“I’m very excited for the opportunity that Coach Stoops and Coach Hamden have given me,” Shay said. “There is a good mix of experience and young talent in the tight end room and I’m looking forward to coaching them. Additionally, being a part of the Big Blue Nation is truly an honor and I’m ready to get to work and represent this incredible fanbase in this new role.”

Shay arrived in the Bluegrass in March of 2024 after spending one season as the tight ends coach at Marshall in 2023.

Prior to that, he served as a senior offensive analyst at Missouri in 2022. There, he worked closely with current UK offensive coordinator and former UM quarterbacks coach Bush Hamdan. He also directly oversaw UM’s summer youth camps.

In July 2022, he was recognized by On3.com as one of the “65 Rising Star Support Staff Coaches.”

Before Shay’s time in Columbia, he served as the tight ends coach at LSU in 2020 and 2021, despite serving in a graduate assistant role. He held all the duties of a full-time assistant coach, and with Shay’s help, two players were named to the SEC All-Freshman Team in Arik Gilbert (2020) and Jack Bech (2021). Bech also earned All-America Freshman honors by 247Sports and Pro Football Focus.

During Shay’s time in Baton Rouge, he was recognized by On3.com as one of “50 Rising Coaches You Need to Know.”

Shay made the jump to the Southeastern Conference after seeing success in coaching the tackles and tight ends at Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) program McNeese State in 2019. The Cowboys averaged 382 yards per game of total offense – nearly 100 yards more than their 2018 numbers – and the program extended its FCS record of consecutive winning seasons to 15, finishing with a 7-5 overall mark.

Prior to McNeese State, Shay served on the staff of one of the nation’s top prep powerhouses – IMG Academy in Florida. Shay served as co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach for IMG, which achieved a top-five national ranking for two straight years.

In all, Shay coached six All-American offensive linemen at IMG and 10 linemen who went on to sign Division I scholarships. Shay also assisted with NFL Combine training and NFL Pathway Program training.

His coaching career began in December 2011, when he signed on to be a student assistant for Eastern Illinois – a position he held until he became a tight ends graduate assistant at Bowling Green State University in January 2014. At Bowling Green, he assisted in leading the team to a Mid-American Conference East Division Championship and also a win in the Camellia Bowl.

Following that stop, Shay moved on to Warren Central High School in Indianapolis in March 2015.

A native of Cerro Gordo, Illinois, Shay began his collegiate playing career as an offensive lineman at Western Illinois University before transferring to Eastern Illinois. He earned his bachelor’s degree in education from EIU in 2013 and later completed a master’s degree in liberal arts from LSU in 2021.

He and his wife, Katie, have two children: a daughter, Murphy, and a son, Brewer.

Derek Shay’s Coaching Career

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT DEREK SHAY

“We get to see every day how Coach Shay operates and the intensity he brings, and we are excited to have him leading our room. He knows our system inside and out, and he’s incredibly passionate about the game and coaching. Adding him to our room is a seamless transition.” – Josh Kattus, Kentucky senior tight end

“Derek is a very knowledgeable coach with an outstanding work ethic. Our players and coaches at LSU loved him—not just as a coach, but as a man. He’s an outstanding recruiter with tireless energy and a passion for developing young talent. Additionally, he’s a great family man who brings character and integrity to everything he does. The University of Kentucky is getting a great one. He’s a great hire.” – Ed Orgeron, former LSU head football coach

“Coach Shay always made it feel like home whenever we spoke. He was definitely someone I wanted to play for and grow with throughout my development years.” – Mason Taylor, current New York Jets and former LSU tight end

“Coach Shay was the first tight ends coach I had in college, and he played a huge role in helping me transition from high school to the college level. He prepared me to contribute right away as a freshman, and I’ll always be grateful for the impact he had on my development and career.” – Kole Taylor, current Cincinnati Bengals and former LSU and West Virginia tight end

“Derek was a tremendous asset to our staff during our time at LSU—someone I could always count on to perform at a high level. He’s an excellent teacher who consistently develops and maximizes his players both on and off the field. He genuinely cares not just about the athlete, but about the person. The University of Kentucky is getting not only a great coach in Derek Shay, but also a wonderful family in him and his wife, Katie. I’m excited to see their continued success and grateful to have had the opportunity to work with him.” – Jake Peetz, current passing game coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, former LSU offensive coordinator

“Coach Shay was an awesome coach. On and off the field, I learned so many valuable and important lessons from him. I couldn’t have asked for a better coach to help guide me through the transition from high school to college.” – Jack Bech, current Las Vegas Raider wide receiver and former LSU wide receiver/tight end