Very sad news out of Kentucky as Wildcats O-line coach John Schlarman has passed away at the age of 45 after a two-year-long battle with cancer.
Schlarman originally made his way to Lexington as a lineman for the Wildcats from 1994 through 1997 where he went All-Conference. He eventually was hired by Mark Stoops as an offensive line coach where he was an effective tutor for a line that generated success in the Wildcat ground game. In fact, Kentucky’s O-lines led by Schlarman were semifinalists in 2016 and 2019 for the Joe Moore Award which is given to the nation’s top offensive line.
Shortly after Schlarman’s death, Stoops released a statement that read, “John was everything we all strive to be – honest, tough, fair, respected,” Stoops said. “Kentucky football won’t be the same without him but his legacy will never fade. He was a fighter and we will strive every day to honor his warrior spirit.”
Kentucky AD Mitch Barnhart echoed Stoops’ statement adding, “He will be remembered for the love he had for his family, his dedication to his players and his excellence as a coach. Our prayers and heartfelt condolences are with his family and all who knew and loved him.”
Schlarman was first diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, a rare cancer that attacks the bile ducts and eventually the liver just before fall camp in July of 2018.