Eddie Gran is Kentucky Wildcats' Top OC Candidate, Per Report

UPDATE

Fox Sports' Bruce Feldman reports Eddie Gran is in fact the top candidate to fill UK's vacant offensive coordinator position.

#Cincy OC Eddie Gran is the leading candidate to be the new OC at #Kentucky, a source tells @FoxSports.

— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) December 18, 2015

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Not long after the Kentucky Wildcats parted ways with Shannon Dawson, they may already have a new offensive coordinator targeted.

According to GridIronNow.com, Cincinnati Bearcats offensive coordinator Eddie Gran is at or near the top of UK's wish list for a new offensive play-caller.

Kentucky is looking for an offensive coordinator after Shannon Dawson was let go after one season, and insiders tell GN that Eddie Gran — who holds the same job at Cincinnati — is a top candidate. Gran also was in the mix last year, when Dawson was hired.

Gran has a background not only in the SEC, but also with UK head coach Mark Stoops. Gran and Stoops spent time together as part of the Florida State Seminoles' staff from 2010-2012. Gran also has served as the Tennessee Volunteers running backs and special teams coordinator in 2009. That came after a 10-year stint as the Auburn Tigers running backs coach and special teams coordinator as well.

Though he doesn't run the same kind of Air Raid offense that Neal Brown and Dawson utilize, Gran does run an up-tempo and pass-heavy offense that  had UC finish with one of the most prolific offense in school history in 2013. That year, the Bearcats led the American Athletic Conference in total offense (472.1) and rushing offense (168.3) with the offense totaling a school-record 6,137 yards.

Adding to his success on the ground, seven running backs tutored under Gran at some point in their careers played in the NFL, including Carnell 'Cadillac' Williams, Ronnie Brown, Rudi Johnson and Deuce McAllister. Williams was an All-American at Auburn and earned 2005 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Brown and McAllister were first-round draft picks and both topped 5,000 career rushing yards in the NFL. Johnson earned 2000 SEC Player of the Year and holds the top two single-season rushing seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Gran is also known as a quality recruiter that does well in the state of Florida (and likes Coladas).

Coaching history:

2013 - present: Offensive Coordinator, Cincinnati

2010 - 2012: Special Teams Coordinator, Associate Head Coach & Running Backs Coach, Florida State

2009: Special Teams Coordinator & Running Backs Coach, Tennessee

1999 - 2004: Running Backs Coach, Auburn & Special Teams Coordinator, Auburn

1995 - 1998: Running Backs Coach, Ole Miss

1994: Wide Receivers Coach, Idaho State

1992 - 1993: Wide Receivers Coach, Cincinnati

1989: Running Backs Coach, Southeast Missouri State

1987 - 1988: Wide Receivers Coach, Cal Lutheran