Sports Headlines

Stoops hires FSU's Eliot to lead Kentucky defense

Posted: 6:35 PM Dec 6, 2012
Reporter: Matt Harris

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) -- Kentucky's new coach Mark Stoops has hired former Florida State assistant D.J. Eliot as the Wildcats' defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.

Eliot coached Seminoles defensive ends the past three seasons alongside Stoops, FSU's former defensive coordinator. No timetable was given for Eliot's start date.

The two men previously worked together at Wyoming -- where Eliot played linebacker under Stoops -- Houston and Miami. Eliot, a 15-year veteran, also worked at Texas State, Tulsa and Rice.

Eliot's best-known Seminoles pupil is Bjoern Werner, the Atlantic Coast Conference's defensive player of the year and a first-team All-America selection. His 13 sacks led the ACC and ranked second nationally this season. Another Seminole, Cornellius "Tank" Carradine, was second in the ACC with 11 sacks and a first team all-conference selection.