EKU Hires C.J. Conrad as Tight Ends Coach

The former Wildcat tight end was on UK's staff for three seasons.

Former Kentucky tight end C.J. Conrad has remained close to his alma mater, joining coach Mark Stoops' staff as a graduate assistant in 2020. 

Back in February of this year, he earned a promotion from grad assistant to an offensive quality control coach. Now, he's taking another leap in the coaching ranks, though it's coming 30 minutes down the road from Lexington.

Eastern Kentucky head coach Walt Wells announced on Thursday that Conrad has been hired as the Colonels' new tight ends coach.

"I had the great fortune to watch C.J. play during my time at Kentucky. He is a highly motivated, intelligent young coach who has played the position and had great success. I am very excited about what he brings to our tight ends room," Wells said in a press release.

"I am so excited for this opportunity at EKU," Conrad said. "I've learned so much during my time at Kentucky. The knowledge I've gained from Coach Stoops, Coach (Vince) Marrow, and Coach (Liam) Coen is invaluable and I'm eager to get to work." 

Conrad made 42 starts in 49 career games at UK from 2015-18, catching 80 passes that led to 1,015 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, which ranks second all-time by a TE in program history, per UK.

He was a Three-time Mackey Award Watch List member and signed onto the New York Giants practice squad in 2019 before returning to Lexington to join Stoops' staff. 

"C.J's work ethic is second to none," Stoops said when Conrad's promotion was announced earlier this year. "He has been a vital part of this program for a long time and he's really good at what he does. He's a great coach and mentor to our young men."

"He will be a star in college football," UK tight ends coach Vince Marrow said of Conrad in a tweet:

Proud of my dude. He will be a star in college football. Last meal with my guy love u buddy. https://t.co/wtE21F1q4X pic.twitter.com/57fpPO0i1i

— CoachMarrowUK (@vincemarrow) June 15, 2023

It won't be long before Conrad returns to Lexington, as UK hosts EKU during the second week of the 2023 season at Kroger Field on Sept. 9, with kickoff set for 3 p.m. EST. 

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