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Kentucky offensive line coach John Schlarman died Thursday after a long battle with cancer. He was 45 years old.
Schlarman was loved by his players and fellow coaches. It served as inspiration, given the way he continued to work through his diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma, a rare cancer of the bile ducts, over two years ago. He rarely missed a practice, commuting between Lexington and the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston for treatment.
Drake Jackson, a veteran of the offensive line, told ESPN in March that Schlarman was – and remains – the funniest person in the building.
“He has a charisma and a work ethic that all coaches aspire to,” Jackson said. “He’s just a whole person. It’s not wrong. It’s not contrived.”
Kentucky coach Mark Stoops echoed those sentiments. Former offensive coordinator Neal Brown recommended that he hire Schlarman, a former Kentucky player, when Stoops was building his inaugural coaching staff more than seven years ago.
Stoops said Schlarman’s nickname, “The Great American,” was a testament to how well he was appreciated.
“I am heartbroken to learn of the passing of my friend, John Schlarman,” Stoops said in a statement. “My prayers go out to LeeAnne and the children, Joseph, Benjamin, Matthew and Evelyn, through this very difficult time.
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. “
His assistant colleague Vince Marrow told ESPN in March that “John Schlarman is my hero”.
Schlarman’s offensive lines were among the best in the SEC. They were semi-finalists in 2016 and 2019 for the Joe Moore Award, which is awarded to the nation’s best offensive line.
“The British athletics family is deeply saddened by the passing of John Schlarman,” said British sporting director Mitch Barnhart. “Over the past two years he has been an incredible inspiration. He taught people to live and showed us all what it means to be brave.
“John was a great husband and father, teacher and leader. He will be remembered for his love for his family, his dedication to his players and his excellence as a coach. Our prayers and our sincere condolences go out to his family and to all who knew and loved him. “
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