The news hit like a true bombshell throughout the Big Blue Nation on Monday. ESPN’s Pete Thamel surprised everyone when he reported that long-time Kentucky assistant Vince Marrow would be leaving high school friend Mark Stoops to work for XFL teammate Jeff Brohm down I-64 at the University of Louisville.

Marrow, UK’s associate head coach, recruiting coordinator and tight ends coach, is likely leaving the program for a job at archrival Louisville, according ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

Nevertheless, in the realm of perception, this is a major blow to what seems an increasingly beleaguered Stoops coaching regime.