BOISE, Idaho — Former Boise State gunslinger and assistant coach Bush Hamdan is headed to the SEC after one season on the coaching staff at his alma mater.
Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops on Wednesday announced Hamdan has been named the Wildcats' new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. He replaces Liam Coen, who recently left Kentucky to become the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Prior to Boise State's season finale in the LA Bowl, head coach Spencer Danielson announced Hamdan would remain the program's offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach and added the title of associate head coach. His contract had not been approved by the Idaho State Board of Education.
The two-year, $940,000 deal Hamdan agreed to with the Broncos made him the highest paid assistant coach in Boise State history and was a $35,000 raise from last fall. Kentucky's previous offensive coordinator made $1.7 million last year, more than most head coaches make in the Mountain West.
Danielson and Co. are immediately in the market for a new offensive coordinator. The last time Boise State completed two consecutive season with the same play-caller on offense was Zak Hill in 2018 and 2019.
“I wish Bush Hamdan the best in his next opportunity, but I know what we are building here at Boise State is special," Danielson said in a statement Wednesday. "That leaves us with an opportunity to bring in another great offensive coordinator. Our national search for a new coordinator has already begun and I look forward to finalizing our staff as soon as possible. I’m excited to find another great play caller that will be an additional great mentor for our student-athletes.”
During the 2023 campaign, the Bronco offense posted 30 or more points in nine-straight games, tied with Michigan and Texas for the nation's second-longest streak. Boise State also ranked sixth nationally with 214.8 rushing yards per game and third with an 80% conversion rate on fourth-down attempts.
Hamdan also helped the Broncos reel in the top 2024 signing class in the Mountain West, headlined by USC transfer and former five-star quarterback Malachi Nelson. He played quarterback in the blue and orange from 2004 to 2008, before he started coaching as a student assistant in 2009 at Colorado.
The Boise State graduate returned to the City of Trees in December 2022 after spending three years at Missouri, coaching wide receivers from 2020 to 2021 and quarterbacks from 2020 to 2022. Kentucky marks his third stop in the SEC, having also coached wide receivers at Florida in 2012.
“We are very excited to join the Big Blue Nation,” Hamdan said. “I’ve really admired Coach Stoops over the years and everything he’s done to build this program. It’s an exciting time to be at Kentucky and be back in the SEC. I can’t wait to get started.”
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