Linebackers Coach

LEXINGTON — Kentucky linebackers coach Chuck Smith has adjusted to a new 3-4 defensive alignment that will put four linebackers on the field, not three as UK has used in recent years, along with his players this spring. Kentucky returns senior linebacker Danny Trevathan, who led the Southeastern Conference in tackles, and has moved senior Winston Guy from safety to a linebacker to take advantage of his speed in new defensive coordinator Rick Minter’s system. Here’s what Smith had to say about his players after Saturday’s Blue-White Game ended UK’s spring practice: Question: How do you think spring practice went for the linebackers?

LOUISVILLE - Chuck Smith knows Kentucky fans were disappointed with the way Kentucky played in January's BBVA Compass Bowl loss to Pittsburgh. However, he says it was not just fans who were upset. “There is not one person that was part of the University of Kentucky that was satisfied with going 6-7 (last season),” Smith, UK's recruiting coordinator/linebackers coach, said during a talk Tuesday to the Louisville Quarterback Club. “That is not acceptable. That is going to change.

When Matt Kitchie was the offensive coordinator at Bradenton (Fla.) Southeast High School, he fell in love with the spread offense. Kitchie, now the new wide receivers coach at Eastern Kentucky University, was on hand here Thursday to tell area high school coaches about that offense during the first morning session at the Kentucky Football Coaches Association's annual clinic at Centre College. But offense wasn't the only item on the agenda Thursday morning. Former Boyle County coach Chuck Smith was on hand to discuss linebacker play and show some film of proper techniques from the University of Kentucky's spring practice, where Smith is the linebackers coach.

LEXINGTON - There's nothing like winning to attract players. Kentucky has had three straight winning seasons that included bowl victories. That's why linebackers coach/recruiting coordinator Chuck Smith thinks there is a direct correlation between the wins and UK's large camp registration this month. "Right now our camp numbers are better than they have ever been," Smith said. "Our middle school (passing) tournament, high school tournament and individual camps all have the best numbers they ever have.

Sam Harp was talking on the telephone Monday morning when he had an unexpected visitor - Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks. "He just stopped by to visit," the Danville coach said. "When you get the head coach at the University of Kentucky to come by and see you it is very impressive when he is not specifically recruiting anybody at your school. "But coach Brooks knows he needs to stay in touch with the high school coaches. He's always done that since he's been at Kentucky.

Bryan Ferrell has played a little bit of everywhere for Boyle County this season. The junior linebacker has been a big reason the Rebels are giving up just 7.2 points a game going into Friday's Class AAAA final in Bowling Green against Lone Oak. And he provided some much-needed blocking last week as the Rebels edged Bell County in the state semifinals when he played both tight end and receiver. Ferrell said he's used to playing wherever the team needs him. "My freshman year I played quarterback and I'd never played it before," he said.

LEXINGTON - Even when he was being redshirted last year, Kentucky coach Rich Brooks thought linebacker Will Johnson of Nashville was showing flashes of potential stardom in his final four years at UK. "He's going to be a player," Brooks said. Johnson took the right attitude for his redshirt season and used it to help improve his skills rather than worry about why he wasn't playing like some other true freshmen were. "It was actually good for me. It gave me a chance not only to learn the defense, but to learn more than I knew about everything to do with football.

Keeping track of former area athletes who keep making news. Lyndsey Neal. The former Boyle County basketball standout added to her honors last week when she was named to the Mid-South Conference team. Neal transferred to Campbellsville this year after three outstanding seasons at Bellarmine University where she still holds the single-game scoring record with 45 points and conference tournament single-game record with 34 points. She scored 1,067 points at Bellarmine and helped her team reach the NCAA Tournament twice.

Former Kentucky recruiting coordinator Chuck Smith believes adding Neal Brown as offensive coordinator will do more than just help UK's offensive production. Smith understands how important having a recruiting base in Texas could be for UK, and that's something Brown has after spending the last three years as Texas Tech's offensive coordinator. “I think that will be really big,” said Smith, who was Brown's high school coach at Boyle County. “He obviously has a pretty good name in Texas because of the things he did at Texas Tech.

Kentucky football coach Joker Phillips is looking for an old friend to help turnaround his team’s defensive unit. Phillips hired former Cincinnati coach Rick Minter as the team’s co-defensive coordinator Thursday, a job he will share with current defensive boss Steve Brown. Phillips and Minter coached together at Cincinnati. In addition to being a head coach, Minter has served as a defensive coordinator at Notre Dame, South Carolina, Ball State and Marshall. He spent last season as linebackers coach at Indiana State.

Former Kentucky recruiting coordinator Chuck Smith believes adding Neal Brown as offensive coordinator will do more than just help UK's offensive production. Smith understands how important having a recruiting base in Texas could be for UK, and that's something Brown has after spending the last three years as Texas Tech's offensive coordinator. “I think that will be really big,” said Smith, who was Brown's high school coach at Boyle County. “He obviously has a pretty good name in Texas because of the things he did at Texas Tech.

After Kentucky beat Central Michigan on Saturday, I wondered what significance playing one day for the 10-year anniversary of 9/11 might have to UK¿players and coaches. It was such a traumatic and historic day, I was just curious to see what different players and coaches might remember. So today's column is a chance for you to see how Kentucky players and coaches remember that day that changed our world forever. Joker Phillips, head coach: “I was at Notre Dame.

HOOVER, Ala. - Senior linebacker Danny Trevathan had a new suit and shoes, wore his gold-rimmed glasses and added just a bit more jewelry to put on his best look Thursday for his appearance at Southeastern Conference Media Days. Trevathan, Kentucky's leading tackler last year, even surprised many with his sense of humor - he danced for TV cameras and joked that he wanted UK coach Joker Phillips to let him return kickoffs this season to take advantage of his speed. “It is just a blessing overall to be here.

LOUISVILLE - Chuck Smith knows Kentucky fans were disappointed with the way Kentucky played in January's BBVA Compass Bowl loss to Pittsburgh. However, he says it was not just fans who were upset. “There is not one person that was part of the University of Kentucky that was satisfied with going 6-7 (last season),” Smith, UK's recruiting coordinator/linebackers coach, said during a talk Tuesday to the Louisville Quarterback Club. “That is not acceptable. That is going to change.

Kentucky won’t have to worry about twin brothers Daron and Zach Blaylock of Georgia changing their minds about their verbal commitment to sign with the Wildcats in February. The two athletic defensive players committed to Kentucky¿on Sunday night after returning from an unofficial visit to Mississippi, one of the other schools they were most interested in along with Duke. Daron Blaylock said while he knows some players make early commitments and continue to take visits to other schools and sometimes even de-commit, he insists that won’t happen with him and his brother.

LEXINGTON — Kentucky senior linebacker Ronnie Sneed appreciates what linebacker coach Chuck Smith has done for him during his collegiate career. “Chuck Smith is not only a good football coach, but he is a good guy. He cares about you as a football player, but also as a person. He doe his best to explain defense to you and get you in position and he gets guys to the NFL, and that’s what guys are trying to do,” said Sneed. Sneed seemed shocked when told that Smith was a bit more hard-nosed in high school and was a no-nonsense, hard-nosed coach who pushed his players to extreme limits with his practice demands.

LEXINGTON — Kentucky linebackers coach Chuck Smith has adjusted to a new 3-4 defensive alignment that will put four linebackers on the field, not three as UK has used in recent years, along with his players this spring. Kentucky returns senior linebacker Danny Trevathan, who led the Southeastern Conference in tackles, and has moved senior Winston Guy from safety to a linebacker to take advantage of his speed in new defensive coordinator Rick Minter’s system. Here’s what Smith had to say about his players after Saturday’s Blue-White Game ended UK’s spring practice: Question: How do you think spring practice went for the linebackers?

Kentucky football coach Joker Phillips is looking for an old friend to help turnaround his team’s defensive unit. Phillips hired former Cincinnati coach Rick Minter as the team’s co-defensive coordinator Thursday, a job he will share with current defensive boss Steve Brown. Phillips and Minter coached together at Cincinnati. In addition to being a head coach, Minter has served as a defensive coordinator at Notre Dame, South Carolina, Ball State and Marshall. He spent last season as linebackers coach at Indiana State.

LEXINGTON — Danny Trevathan has shown he can be a playmaker. Now the junior linebacker has to show he can also be a leader for Kentucky. Trevathan is Kentucky’s top returning tackler, even though he played most of last season with a cast on his hand to protect his broken wrist. He was named UK’s most improved defensive player by the coaches after making 82 stops — the second most on the team. Now he’s being counted on to lead a quicker, but less experienced defensive unit.

If there were any questions about what Tyler Horn could do at Eastern Kentucky, he answered them one day this spring — on his cell phone. Horn, a Harrodsburg native and one of two area players on the EKU roster, made an impression on coach Dean Hood when he made a seamless transition from one position to another during spring practice. And Hood said Horn’s smarts and skills and willingness to learn could well earn him some playing time as a redshirt freshman this season.