The University of Kentucky’s football program has announced a quartet of new staff members who are expected to reinforce both the defensive line and recruiting efforts.
A Fresh Coaching Wave for the Wildcats
Dillon Sanders is returning to Lexington as the assistant defensive line coach, bringing with him a stint as defensive coordinator at Ensworth School in Nashville and previous experience as a defensive assistant at Kentucky from 2016 to 2018.
Rob Snyder joins the staff after stints at Illinois State and Nicholls State, where he helped shape some of the FCS’s most potent defensive units and mentored players such as Wildcat Mi’Quise Humphrey‑Grace.
Leah Barnard, who previously worked as a student worker in the recruiting office, has been promoted to assistant director of recruiting, overseeing on‑campus visits and coordinating the logistics that bring prospects to campus.
John “Hova” Herron arrives as acquisition coordinator, a role that will see him focus on talent evaluation and the strategic use of the transfer portal, drawing on nearly three decades of coaching experience, including his most recent position as director of recruiting at the University of Louisville.
Together, the new arrivals are poised to strengthen the Wildcats’ defensive schemes while also enhancing the program’s ability to identify and secure top talent, a combination that could prove pivotal as the team looks ahead to the upcoming season.