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The Kentucky Wildcats may have found their next receivers coach, but it's not who you thought it would be.
Mark Stoops has been playing his cards close to the vest throughout this process, and while names like Tommy Mangino, Kevin Beard and Steve Spurrier Jr. have popped up, no one, and I mean no one saw this coming.
According to Kentucky Sports Radio, UK is poised to hire Louisville Cardinals receivers coach Lamar Thomas. This would be a MASSIVE hire for UK as Thomas has quietly been one of the better recruiters in college football, not to mention a huge asset to the Cats' biggest rivals.
Just last year, Thomas helped UL land star quarterback Lamar Jackson, not to mention two talented receivers in Jaylen Smith and Devante Peete. He also just helped the Cards land four-star receiver Desmond Fitzpatrick, who just so happens to have an offer from UK...
There's also this:
Source says deal with Lamar Thomas to come to UK is "close."
— Jon Hale (@JonHale_CJ) February 1, 2016
A Kentucky spokewoman says she "can't confirm" report of UofL's Lamar Thomas joining UK staff as WR coach.
— Alex Forkner (@AlexForknerTCP) February 1, 2016
Thomas has been with the Cardinals since 2014 before serving as the wide receivers coach under Bobby Petrino at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. Thomas' coaching career began at Boynton Beach Community H.S. from 2008-10 before a stint as the Hampton receivers coach from 2011-2012.
As for his playing career, Thomas was a standout receiver with the Miami Hurricanes from 1989-92. Thomas set a then-school record for most receptions in a career (later eclipsed by Reggie Wayne).
Thomas then played eight seasons in the NFL as a wide receiver, three with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and five with the Miami Dolphins. Needless to say, he's got plenty of playing and coaching experience in the state of Florida, where he's helped UL land several big-time prospects during his time with the Cardinals.
Speaking of, this would be the latest in a string of coaches leaving UL for greener pastures in the SEC. Defensive backs coaches Terrell Buckley left and is now at Mississippi State. Fellow secondary coach Greg Brown left and is now at Missouri.
Somewhere, this is Bobby Petrino's reaction: