In a stunning twist, longtime Kentucky assistant Vince Marrow has exited the Wildcats after 12 seasons to take over as general manager at Louisville. The move delivers a significant jolt to Mark Stoops’ program, where Marrow had served since 2013 as associate head coach, tight ends coach, and recruiting coordinator.
Often referred to as Stoops’ right-hand man, Marrow’s fingerprints were on nearly every key roster decision. Now, he’ll handle roster management full time for Kentucky’s fiercest rival, delivering what some in Lexington call a “seismic blow” to the Wildcats and a resounding win for the Cardinals.
Kentucky Wildcats Lose Recruiting Architect Vince Marrow to Cardinals
In a move that sent shockwaves through the Bluegrass State, Marrow has left Kentucky to become the general manager at Louisville. The longtime associate head coach and recruiting coordinator is finalizing a three-year deal with the Cardinals, shifting from the field to a personnel-focused role behind the scenes.
According to Matt Jones of Kentucky Sports Radio, marrow’s abrupt departure reportedly blindsided Kentucky’s leadership.
“UK Athletics Leadership did not find out Vince Marrow [was] in talks or leaving for Louisville until the @PeteThamel” report surfaced.
Source tells me that UK Athletics Leadership did not find out Vince Marrow in talks or leaving for Louisville until the @PeteThamel tweet yesterday
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) June 10, 2025
Jones, a longtime friend of Marrow’s, said on X,
“I think he has been frustrated for awhile. I am not surprised he is leaving. While I am slightly surprised it was the Cards now, I think he was VERY close to going to Louisville a couple of years ago. Something must have happened.”
Vince has been, and is, longtime friend of mine. I think he has been frustrated for awhile. I am not surprised he is leaving
While I am slightly surprised it was the Cards now, I think he was VERY close to going to Louisville a couple of years ago. Something must have happened
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) June 9, 2025
For 12 seasons, Marrow played a pivotal role under Stoops, holding titles that included associate head coach, tight ends coach, recruiting coordinator, and NFL liaison. He was instrumental in landing some of Kentucky’s top talent throughout the past decade and was widely considered the most critical staffer outside Stoops.
While Marrow had fielded offers in the past — including interest from Jeff Brohm during his time at Purdue — he had remained loyal to the Wildcats. That loyalty appears to have waned following Kentucky’s 4-8 campaign in 2024, their worst finish since Stoops’ first year.
Meanwhile, Brohm has led Louisville to at least nine wins in his first two seasons, a trajectory that may have appealed to Marrow.
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Importantly, Marrow’s contract with Kentucky includes a clause that would have required him to pay $200,000 per remaining year if he left for another coaching position. By assuming a non-coaching front office role at Louisville, he avoids that financial penalty entirely.
As Marrow heads to Kentucky’s fiercest rival, the Wildcats are left to fill a massive void in leadership and recruiting prowess.
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