Eric Wolford and John Schlarman likely would have been best friends

Eric Wolford, left, plans to always honor the legacy of John Schlarman. (UK Athletics Photo)

If new Kentucky offensive line coach Eric Wolford had been able to be around former UK offensive line coach John Schlarman they likely would have been best friends. Or at least that is what UK freshman offensive lineman Jager Burton believes. He went through spring practice under Wolford and was recruited by Schlarman, who passed away last season from cancer.

“If both of them had been there at the same time it would have been interesting. They probably would have caused some trouble around the facility because they really are a lot alike,” Burton said.

Burton said it was not “weird” for him to be coached by Wolford because he never got to play under Schlarman.

“But I do feel like I am kind of waiting to see coach Schlarman around the facility and I never see him,” Burton said. “I think coach Schlarman will always be like the O-line coach at Kentucky.

“The philosophies he taught will always trickle down to every class. I feel like in a way he is always there and coach Wolf is another coach we have, too. It is kind of weird but it works.”

Burton has appreciated the way Wolford has respected Schlarman’s legacy.

“He came in and the first thing he said to us was ‘I am not John Schlarman. I might not do everything like him but we are for sure going to carry on the tradition he taught and we are never going to forget about him. Don’t think I am trying to be him. I am trying to be myself but we are going to respect coach Schlarman with everything we do and carry his legacy with everything we do moving forward,'” Burton said.