LEXINGTON, Ky.  (ABC36 NEWS NOW)- L’Damian Washington is the newest member of Kentucky football as the Wildcats’ wide receivers coach, the team announced on Tuesday. “We are very excited to add L’Damian to our staff,” said Head Coach Mark Stoops. “I’ve known about him for a few years as he coached my nephew, Drake Stoops, at Oklahoma. So, I have gotten some really good intel on his coaching style. He is young, energetic and can relate to our players. He has an amazing story of perseverance and I think he will be a great addition to our team.” Washington joins the Wildcats after spending two seasons at the same position with the University of South Florida’s football team. He became the pass game coordinator for the Bulls this past season. “I’m very proud to join the Big Blue Nation,” said Washington. “I’ve known the Stoops family for a while and being able to coach under one of the best head coaches in the country in Mark Stoops is an honor. I am also excited about working again with Bush Hamdan. Bush is one of the main reasons I got into coaching and he’s been a big influence in my life.” Other than Washington’s admiration for two of Kentucky’s coaches, he is very fond of the receivers that are on the Wildcats’ roster. “What else excites me is the opportunity to work with this talented group of receivers. I knew Ja’Mori Maclin from his playing days at Missouri and we have a lot of young talent returning in Hardley Gilmore, Rico Crowder, Fred Farrier and others. It’s an exciting time to be a Wildcat,” said Washington. With the Bulls Washington was with South Florida for two bowl games in the past two years. In 2024, they finished 6-6 and 4-4 in the American Athletic Conference. The Bulls will face San Jose State in The Hawai’i Bowl on December 24. Under Washington’s tutelage, wide receiver Sean Atkins became the first 1,000 yard receiver in school history and earned all conference honors in 2023. In the same year, Washington was a part of turning around the USF program. He helped the Bulls produce a six win improvement from 2022 featuring 12 team and 16 personal records. As a Sooner Washington spent the 2022 season at Oklahoma as a receivers coach under head coach Brent Venables. Wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. became an All-Big 12 First Team selection with 54 catches for over 1,000 yards and six touchdowns. Mims is now a receiver with the Denver Broncos. In 2023, he became the second rookie in franchise history to be selected to the Pro Bowl and AP All-Pro team in the same season. Other Stops 2021- WR Coach- Southern University 2020- Director of Player Development- Missouri 2020- Wide Receiver- St. Louis Battlehawks 2018-2019- Head Coach- West Middle School 2014-2019- Wide Receiver- NFL, CFL, AAF 2009-2013- Wide Receiver- Missouri Personal Life Washington is originally from Shreveport, Louisiana and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Missouri in 2013. While he was a student-athlete, his personal story attracted national attention. Washington lost both of his parents by the age of 15 and he often shares his story to inspire others as a motivational speaker Washington and his partner, Alexis, have two children, Banks and King. Categories: Featured, More Sports, Solid Blue, Sports Tags: Coach, Football, Kentucky, ldamian, Stoops, Washington, wide receiver