Jon Hale

@JonHale_CJ

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Mark Stoops’ UK football staff is once again full.

Hours after announcing former EKU coach Dean Hood as his new special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach, Stoops’ confirmed former North Texas assistant Derrick LeBlanc has been named his new defensive line coach.

“I’ve known Derrick and watched his progress as a coach,” Stoops said in a release announcing the hire. “I was super-impressed with his interview, with the organization of his teaching and how good he is as an instructor. Fundamentals are important at every position but especially in the defensive line and I believe Derrick will be a great teacher of proper technique and fundamentals.”

LeBlanc spent one season as the defensive line coach at North Texas after a year at Pearl River College. He previously served as a defensive line coach at Southern Miss (2013-14), Wyoming (2012), Missouri State (2006-07), Arkansas Tech (2005) and Henderson State (2001-04). LeBlanc was an assistant strength and conditioning coach at LSU from 2008-11 and started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at LSU in 2000, working under legendary defensive line coach Pete Jenkins.

“It’s a great pleasure to be here at Kentucky with Coach Stoops and his staff,” LeBlanc said in the release. “I’m excited about the opportunity to teach the young guys at UK and coach in the Southeastern Conference. Coach Stoops is a great defensive mind and he’s a great teacher of the game. On the outside looking in, there’s always been the potential to win at Kentucky and Coach Stoops has found a way to get it going in that direction and I’m looking forward to working with him and these players.”

LeBlanc replaces Jimmy Brumbaugh on Stoops’ staff. Brumbaugh left UK for the defensive line and co-defensive coordinator position at Maryland earlier this month.

North Texas paid LeBlanc $90,000 per year according to a USA Today database. Brumbaugh's UK contract paid him $300,000 per year.

Email Jon Hale at jahale@courier-journal.com. Follow him on Twitter @JonHale_CJ.