Mark Stoops completely overhauled the players on his roster this offseason, but there weren’t many changes to the coaching staff. Wide receivers coach Daikiel Shorts was the only departure, leaving Kentucky for Nebraska. There were a few changes further down the line on the Kentucky football support staff.

Nate Fuqua (pronounced FEW-quay) is returning to his home state of Kentucky as an analyst for Brad White‘s defense. Fuqua is a Danville native who spent the last 11 years as a defensive coordinator in the college ranks, most recently at Cincinnati.

“We are excited to have Nate Fuqua join our program,” Stoops said. “He brings a lot of experience as he’s been a defensive coach for more than 20 years, including a defensive coordinator the last 11. He’s also a Kentucky native and is familiar with this program, having grown up in Danville. He is a welcomed addition to our defensive room.”

Fuqua was an all-state lineman for the Danville Admirals who played in college at Wofford. He began his coaching career at his alma mater. After 12 seasons, he moved up to the Sun Belt where he helped Georgia State win four bowl games. He spent the last two seasons on Scott Satterfield’s staff at Cincinnati. Sources cannot confirm that he was canned for throwing Ls Down around the facility.

Nate also has another connection to UK. His brother, Ben Fuqua, played golf at Kentucky and was an assistant coach for the Cats from 2015-23.

Winter workouts for the Kentucky football team are currently underway at the Joe Craft Football Training Facility. Spring practice is expected to begin in the next couple of weeks. Mark Stoops is scheduled to speak with the media this week as Kentucky introduces a few dozen new members of the football team.

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