Tag: Bush Hamdan

Kentucky fans react to the hiring of Bush Hamdan

Kentucky fans have opinions about the potential hire of Bush Hamdan as offensive coordinator

In what has become an annual event at the University of Kentucky, the Wildcats lost their offensive coordinator when Liam Coen left for the NFL. Coach Mark Stoops and the UK staff had to search for a replacement, and after a couple of weeks, may have found their guy in former Boise State assistant Bush Hamdan.

Hamdan was most recently the OC for his alma mater: Boise St, but also has experience in the SEC and coached in the NFL for a season. The former quarterback is an experienced coach, but has bounced around quite a bit over the years.

As usual, Kentucky fans had varying opinions on the potential hire. Some like his experience in a system that has produced numbers. Some think he was a desperation hire that hasn’t been able to stick in a position for very long.

Here are some of Big Blue Nation’s thoughts on the possible hire of Hamdan as Kentucky’s offensive coordinator.

Kentucky set to hire Boise St’s Bush Hamdan as offensive coordinator

Kentucky is expected to hire former Boise St coach Bush Hamdan as their new offensive coordinator

When offensive coordinator Liam Coen left the Kentucky Wildcats to take a job in the NFL, it left a big hole in the coaching staff. After a few weeks of searching, it appears that head coach Mark Stoops has finally found his replacement OC in Boise State’s Bush Hamdan.

Hamdan played quarterback at Boise St from 2004 to 2008, then began his coaching career. He had stints with the University of Washington and Missouri in college, as well as a season with the Atlanta Falcons before winding up back at Boise St as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

Boise St ranked 26th in the country in total yards per game in 2023. They were 31st in points per game, led by the 6th best rushing attack in the country. Kentucky likes to run the football, and so the hire seems to be a fit in those terms.

Fan reactions are likely to be mixed. However, if Kentucky’s offense plays well next season, and the Wildcats can win games, then Big Blue Nation will fall in love with their new OC.

Boise State Football: Bush Hamdan Is MWwire’s 2023 Preseason Coordinator Of The Year

Hamdan’s return to Boise State as an offensive coordinator comes with high expectations. He’s our pick as the Mountain West’s top assistant.

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Boise State Football: Bush Hamdan Is Mountain West Wire’s 2023 Preseason Coordinator Of The Year

Hamdan’s return to Boise State as an offensive coordinator comes with high expectations. He’s our pick as the Mountain West’s top assistant.

Contact/Follow @MWCwire

The goal? Keep last year’s surge going.

Mountain West Wire’s 2023 preseason honors:

All-Conference Teams | Offensive Player of the Year | Defensive Player of the Year | Special Teams Player of the Year | Freshman of the Year | Newcomer of the Year | Coach of the Year | Coordinator of the Year

A former Broncos quarterback, Hamdan got his start in the coaching world as a student assistant at Colorado in 2009 before landing his first coordinator job at Arkansas State under Bryan Harsin in 2013. From there, he spent time at Davidson, Washington and in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons before Eli Drinkwitz brought him to Missouri in 2020 as a position coach.

In 2022, though, the Tigers offense struggled early and prompted Hamdan to take on playcalling duties as the year progressed. In the final four games of the season, Missouri would average 5.74 yards per play as quarterback Brady Cook threw eight touchdowns with zero interceptions and twice ran for over 100 yards.

That’s certainly what Boise State head coach Andy Avalos had in mind when he tapped Hamdan to replace Dirk Koetter. Perhaps no coordinator in the Mountain West will be under more pressure to deliver in 2023, but Hamdan knows the program and should help the offense hit the ground running once again.

Also received votes: Freddie Banks, DC, Colorado State; Joe Cauthen, DC, Utah State; Kyle Cefalo, OC, Utah State; Spencer Danielson, DC, Boise State; Brian Knorr, DC, Air Force; Ryan Lindley, OC, San Diego State; Brennan Marion, OC, UNLV; Kurt Mattix, DC, San Diego State; Pat McCann, OC, Fresno State; Kevin McGiven, OC, San Jose State; Matt Mumme, OC, Colorado State; Tim Polasek, OC, Wyoming; Jay Sawvel, DC, Wyoming; Michael Scherer, DC, UNLV

Previous preseason CofY honorees: 2022: Kirby Moore, Fresno State | 2021: Matt Mumme, Nevada | 2020: Matt Mumme, Nevada

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