Cats Illustrated sources confirmed on Monday that Cincinnati's Eddie Gran will become the next offensive coordinator at the University of Kentucky.





Those sources told Cats Illustrated that Gran is likely to be officially announced as Kentucky's offensive coordinator on Tuesday, although there is currently no scheduled time for a press conference.

Sources indicated that they "believe" a deal has already been signed, although that was not made completely clear.

While no official salary figures were made official sources estimated that Gran would make in the ballpark of $550,000, and every Cats Illustrated source who spoke on the topic voiced their belief that Gran's deal would be three years in length.

Immediately after Shannon Dawson's ouster as Kentucky's offensive coordinator Cats Illustrated sources indicated that Mark Stoops had his sights set on one person and that it was already almost a done deal. The winds shifted on Sunday, as sources indicated that Gran might have been somewhat concerned with Kentucky's lack of quarterback depth following Reese Phillips' decision to transfer out of the program, leaving only Drew Barker as a scholarship quarterback on today's roster, with Gunnar Hoak enrolling a semester early to join him.

Sources indicated that UK athletics director Mitch Barnhart spoke with Gran in recent days. It's possible the salary figure went up from the initial talks, although Cats Illustrated cannot confirm that.

The widespread expectation is that Gran will be joined in Lexington by Cincinnati quarterbacks coach Darrin Hinshaw, who previously was an assistant coach at Tennessee.

If Hinshaw does join Gran, as expected, he would coach the quarterbacks. Sources indicated that in this scenario Gran would serve as both offensive coordinator and either position coach of the running backs or receivers. The rest of Kentucky's offensive coaching staff would remain in tact although there could be some shuffling of responsibilities.

Updated (6:00 p.m., 12/28): The Lexington Herald-Leader and Courier-Journal contested reports, based on their talks with sources, that Mitch Barnhart was involved in the hiring process with Gran. Initially Cats Illustrated sources indicated that they believed Barnhart did speak with Gran. Others reported this as well. Time will tell, but sources continue to express that Kentucky and Gran have reached an understanding and that the contract "may" have been signed (although that's not certain).