Director of Recruiting EK Franks leaving UK for Troy

The Kentucky football coaching staff has had no turnover this off season, at least until today. As first reported by Football Scoop, Kentucky’s director of recruiting, EK Franks, will be leaving Lexington to join the athletic department at Troy.

Franks signed onto Mark Stoops’ staff in August of 2018, and has re-signed less than five months later. He did serve the Wildcats for a full season, and recruiting is as good in Lexington as it has ever been.

Before coming to Kentucky, Franks worked as the director of player personnel at both Arkansas and Florida, and has coached at several other major programs.

Franks leaves Kentucky to take over as the assistant athletic director for football at Troy, which is a promotion in position even though it is a step down in program. However, that is typical for those looking to move up the ladder in athletics.

While the headline may cause concern for the state of Kentucky football recruiting, there should really be no drop-off in the quality of recruiting by the staff. Franks primarily tracked and coordinated visits and contact with recruits. He did not have direct recruiting responsibilities, and all of the key recruiters are still in place.

However, it is an important role because football programs are always recruiting dozens of athletes in each class every year. It is likely that another member of the football staff will step into the director of recruiting role, and that the momentum that the Wildcats have carried into the off season will roll right on.