RonCaragher

Ron Caragher (pronounced “CARE-ah-ger”) has been on the UCLA staff the last nine years, including the last seven as coach of the Bruins’ wide receivers and kickers. He coached in five bowl games during his term there, including the Aloha, Cotton, Rose, Sun, and Las Vegas bowls, and Caragher coached some of the top pass catchers in school history.

“I’m excited to add a young coach who has had great recruiting success at UCLA and is an outstanding coach as well,” Brooks said. “He’s worked for (UCLA head coaches) Terry Donahue and Bob Toledo and he brings a vast knowledge of offensive football. He’s also worked with kickers and punters most of his career and can also help us in those areas.”

Under Caragher’s direction, Danny Farmer became the school’s all-time leader in receiving yardage during the 1999 season. In 2000, Freddie Mitchell was a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award while setting a school record with 1,494 receiving yards. In 2001, Brian Poli-Dixon reached the top five in school history in receptions and yardage. Farmer is now a three-year veteran for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League and Mitchell has played two seasons for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Caragher also showed his coaching acumen in the development of Drew Bennett. A quarterback his first four years at UCLA, Bennett switched to wide receiver in his senior year in 2000. After playing one season as a wide receiver, he was signed as a free agent by the Tennessee Titans, won a spot on the roster, and is now a two-year veteran of the NFL.

As kicking coach, Caragher helped punter Nate Fikse earn all-conference honors three straight seasons.

A native of Morgan Hill, Calif., Caragher was a four-year letterman as a backup quarterback at UCLA. He was a part of teams that won four consecutive bowl games. He worked in private business for three years before entering coaching.

“I am very excited about the opportunity to work on Coach Brooks’ staff. I’ve always had great respect for Coach Brooks and his teams,” Caragher said. “I’m equally excited to be a part of the University of Kentucky. Its rich tradition, commitment to excellence, and supportive fans make it one of the premier universities in the country.”

Caragher and his wife, Wendy, have three sons, Josh, Ryan, and Scott.

Caragher Coaching Experience

1994-95 UCLA Graduate Assistant, one bowl game1996-2002 UCLA Assistant Coach, wide receivers, kickers/punters, four bowl games