Today is an emotional day for the family of John Schlarman and the Kentucky football family as Schlarman lost his battle with cancer.
He was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma in the summer of 2018.
"John was everything we all strive to be – honest, tough, fair, respected. Kentucky football won't be the same without him but his legacy will never fade. He was a fighter and we will strive every day to honor his warrior spirit," head coach Mark Stoops shared in the school's release.
Schlarman joined the Kentucky staff in 2013 as part of Stoops' first staff and has served as the program's offensive line coach the last seven seasons up until he was unable to make the team's trip to Missouri back on October 24th.
An All SEC offensive lineman at Kentucky as a senior, Schlarman's love for Kentucky ran deep. As an assistant coach with the program the Wildcat offense broke a number of school records including a new record for rushing yards, touchdowns, and rushing yards per attempt in a single season. He returned to the program as a graduate assistant in the early 2000's before coaching the tight ends in 2002.
He spent a few years as a head high school coach in Kentucky at Campbell County HS and at Newport HS before becoming the offensive line coach at Troy from 2007-12. In 2013 he returned to his alma mater as the offensive line coach for Mark Stoops.
"John was a great husband and father, teacher and leader. He will be remembered for the love he had for his family, his dedication to his players and his excellence as a coach. Our prayers and heartfelt condolences are with his family and all who knew and loved him," Stoops shared.
Understanding the battle for his life that Schlarman was facing, over the last few months Kentucky asked members of the Wildcat football family what coach Schlarman has meant to them, and the result is this heart touching video.
Please join us in praying for the Schlarman family, especially John's wife LeeAnne and his children Joseph, Benjamin, Matthew, and Evelyn.