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Joe Scola - Football - University of Kentucky Athletics

JoeScola

BIO
  • Hired in 2019 in a quality control position at Kentucky after coaching stints in the NFL, ACC and the Ivy League.
  • Works closely with the linebackers.
  • Returned to the Bluegrass after spending 2018 at Florida Atlantic as a defensive analyst working with the cornerbacks.
  • Worked two seasons (2016-17) as the linebackers coach at Prairie View A&M where he tutored three of the program’s best defensive players in Jayln Williams, Jalan Coleman and Anthony Stubbs.
  • Williams had a career season in 2017, ranking first in the country in tackles for loss and leading the team in tackles and sacks as well as earning All-SWAC 1st Team and All-America Honors.
  • Coleman also excelled under Scola, ranking second on the team in tackles for loss and third in tackles and sacks … Earned All-SWAC honors, despite battling through injuries.
  • Stubbs, currently with the Cleveland Browns, led the team in forced fumbles, finished second on the team in tackles and sacks, and was third in tackles for loss.
  • Gained experience in the professional ranks after serving as an offensive assistant/assistant quarterbacks coach for the San Francisco 49ers during the 2015 campaign, working with Colin Kaepernick and Blaine Gabbert.
  • Served as Kentucky’s director of player development under Mark Stoops in 2013 and 2014, helping develop a pair of future NFL outside linebackers in Bud Dupree (Steelers) and Za’Darius Smith (Packers) along with inside linebacker Avery Williamson (Jets).
  • Also had a three-year stint at Florida State under Stoops, two seasons as a graduate assistant (2011 and 2012) and one as a quality control assistant for defense (2010).
  • In 2010, worked primarily with the linebackers, helping FSU win the ACC Atlantic Division, advance to the 2010 ACC Championship and defeat South Carolina in the 2010 Chick-fil-A Bowl.
  • In 2011, assisted Stoops with the secondary as a graduate assistant as FSU went on to rank fourth nationally in total defense and No. 20 in pass defense, and defeat Notre Dame in the 2011 Champs Sports Bowl.
  • During his final season at FSU, helped guide the Seminoles to the 2013 Orange Bowl and had two members of his linebacking unit drafted by the NFL in Nick Moody and Vince Williams.
  • Florida State led the country in pass defense and yards per play and finished second nationally in total defense that season.
  • Prior to FSU, served as an assistant coach from 2007-2009 at Dartmouth as a secondary coach in 2007, and linebackers coach in 2008 and 2009.
  • Also added specialists coach to his resume at Dartmouth, helping Brian Scullin earn All-America status in 2008 after leading the country in punting.
  • Two-year letter winner at Dartmouth as a free safety in 2005 and 2006.
  • Earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Dartmouth in 2007 and went on to earn a master’s degree in sports management from Florida State in 2013.
  • Originally from Punta Gorda, Florida.
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