John Schlarman (UK Athletics Photo)
Kentucky’s football coaching staff liked offensive line coach John Schlarman so much that he was nicknamed “The Great American” and that’s what the coaches called.
“He made us all better,” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said Thursday night.
Schlarman, a former UK offensive lineman, died early Thursday after a battle of more than two years with cancer. He was only 45.
“What sticks out to me is the dignity and how he holds himself. Even during the most difficult times he was so dignified,” Stoops said.
Don’t take this wrong, but dignified is not a word I would use for Schlarman when he played. He was an undersized starting lineman in the Southeastern Conference but he was so relentless and tenacious he found a way to block successfully for players like Tim Couch, Anthony White and more.
“It has been amazing how many head coaches throughout the country have reached out to me today (about Schlarman),” Stoops said Thursday. “So many people have heard so many good things about John. That really makes you feel good for John.”
It does but it was respect earned with his every day actions. He demanded excellence and effort and his players understood why he was demanding it. He built the Big Blue Wall the last three years that has gained national respect.
Kentucky’s highest rated recruit, Frederick Douglas offensive lineman Jager Burton, verbally committed to UK before the season started in large part because of Schlarman.
“Thank you for everything coach truly one of the best men I have ever met rest easy,” Burton posted on Twitter Thursday.
Same here. I remember talking to Schlarman about a year into his battle and he said cancer had made him a better person and improved his outlook on how much good there was in the world. I remember wiping away tears after the interview and marveling at his outlook on life.
No wonder Stoops said he had a “heavy heart” Thursday when he talked to the media.
“We will work extremely hard to honor his legacy for many years to come,” Stoops said.
Kentucky has a game Saturday at noon against Vanderbilt. That’s only about 60 hours after Schlarman’s passing. But Stoops said he wants his team’s play to honor Schlarman.
“One thing about John is that he was here with a strong, positive attitude every day he could. He worked and coached until the bitter end,” Stoops said. “He would pick up and come to work and put a smile on his face even when he was struggling. The best way to honor him is go out and play the very best we can. I want to coach as if John is standing next to me.
“I want our players to just visualize him being there with us and watching us. We will play. Our team will be ready to play.”
And that is exactly what The Great American would want the Cats to do.
