Amid rift rumors, Vince Marrow breaks silence on Kentucky exit while giving Mark Stoops his flowers for building the program  

After months, longtime Kentucky Wildcats assistant Vince Marrow addressed rumors of a strained relationship with head coach Mark Stoops following his departure from the program.

Marrow, who was associate head coach and tight ends coach at Kentucky since 2013, has now joined Louisville as Executive Director of Player Personnel and Recruiting.

Marrow broke the silence on his exit and his relationship with Stoops while talking to Kentucky Sports Radio:

"I don't think we fell out at all. I think our relationship was strained over just us — not probably talking as much as we used to. But that had nothing to do with me leaving the University of Kentucky. I can promise you that."

When asked if Stoops or anyone at Lexington tried stopping him from leaving the program, Marrow said:

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, they did. I mean, do you think Mark Stoops is just gonna let me go? That was a hard conversation because I love the guy. I was with the guy for 12 years — really 13 years — and we knew each other for a long time. Our families know each other."

During the interview, Marrow added he was disappointed with the way the media handled his divorce from the program:

"I just wish the media would quit trying to push this thing that me and him. You know, somebody tweeted that I didn't even mention Mark Stoops. I told her, I said, 'I love the guy.' I mean, what else you want me to say? Just don't create that narrative. It's just — I moved on. I was there for 12 years. I hope people respect what I did there for 12 years."

Mark Stoops wishes Vince Marrow his best

During his tenure, Vince Marrow was instrumental in Kentucky’s recruiting success and program development. Until now, his loyalty to Stoops and the Wildcats was never in doubt.

Stoops gave his best to Marrow, who helped build the program in Lexington over the last decade.

“We’re thankful for Coach Marrow’s contributions to our program over the past 12 years. As we look to the new season and a new era of college football, we’re focused on the opportunities at hand,” Stoops said in a statement released on Thursday.

“We will continue to build a roster and staff that balances talent, experience, maturity, physicality, and the attitude it takes to win in the nation’s most competitive conference. I wish my friend and colleague nothing but the best," he added.

Vince Marrow will now have Louisville's recruiting efforts on his hands.