The Vince Marrow era has been up and running at Louisville for over two months now. The long-time Kentucky assistant has stayed in the Bluegrass but is now on the other side of the Governor’s Cup rivalry. Marrow is the new general manager for Jeff Brohm’s program and before it becomes roster-building season, the 57-year-old […]
The Vince Marrow era has been up and running at Louisville for over two months now. The long-time Kentucky assistant has stayed in the Bluegrass but is now on the other side of the Governor’s Cup rivalry. Marrow is the new general manager for Jeff Brohm’s program and before it becomes roster-building season, the 57-year-old is doing what he does best — promote his program.
In a feature with the Courier-Journal that was published on Tuesday, Marrow discussed a multitude of topics. UK’s former tight ends coach discussed how he is getting used throwing the “L’s up”, is now a frequent patron at the Jeff Ruby’s in Louisville, and that is top goal is to get Louisville into the playoff.
READ: Louisville football GM Vince Marrow ‘on a mission’ to help Cardinals reach new heights (Courier-Journal)
Marrow also opened up on the decision-making process for taking the Louisville job.
“He described his mindset as “50-50.” Then a family vote with his wife Renee and their seven combined children (Aryanna Marrow, Mike Marrow, Phylicia Marrow, Victoria Marrow Oliver, Devon Daniel, Robbie Lofton and Alexandra Smith) came back unanimous in favor of Louisville,” The Courier-Journal’s Payton Titus writes. “Finally, Marrow asked God for a sign, which he declined to share but swears happened. Alrighty then, Marrow thought, onward and upward.”
Marrow also shared some frustrations with Kentucky Sports Radio. The head of Louisville’s front office was not a fan of a post that Nick Roush wrote that compared the football coach turned general manager to a Game of Thrones character.
“I know sometimes you gotta spin a narrative to do damage control, but that kind of pissed me off. I’m like, ‘So you really gonna try to spin this?’ But guess what? It’s like when you’re running for office,” Marrow said. “The American people are smart. Kentucky football fans were smart.”
“… Just read between the lines, man.”
But for now, Marrow is focused on winning games at Louisville and helping his friend, Jeff Brohm, build the best roster possible by using both rev-share money and funds from the program’s collective. Marrow called the separation a divorce but he feels like he won the divorce even though Kentucky got out of paying a tight ends coach over a million dollars.
“You get divorced and they say, ‘Do you hate that person?’” Marrow said. “You had a relationship for 12 years. You’re still going to care about them. With the Kentucky fans, it’s like, (I) got divorced, found this new, badass wife, and I’m moving forward and I’m happy.”
“I had a really good lawyer. No child support, no alimony.”
Vince Marrow believes Louisville football is a “badass”. Some spice has been added to this rivalry.
Vince Marrow has a unique payment situation at Louisville
Part of the reason many felt that it would be hard for Vince Marrow to leave Mark Stoops and the Kentucky football program was due to his large contract. The Wildcats were paying Marrow $1.3 million with a $200,000 buyout if he left to be a position coach at another school. Louisville got around paying that buyout since Marrow isn’t an on-field coach but the pay structure is unique.
Marrow will be paid a base salary by the school that is notably less than his former salary at Kentucky but there are opportunities to receive pay from private entities.
“Marrow’s deal with Louisville, obtained by The Courier Journal via a public records request, runs from June 16 of this year to June 30, 2028. His base salary for Year 1 (June 16 to June 30, 2026) is $700,000; for Year 2 (July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027) $800,000; and for Year 3 (July 1, 2027 to June 30, 2028) $900,000. Marrow’s contract also stipulates that he “is entitled to receive additional compensation from private entities outside the University.” That outside income will come from one entity (which Marrow declined to name) and make for an annual financial package totaling more than $1 million,” Titus reports.
Marrow will be making seven figures while he works on Floyd Street but its about as clear as mud where the additional $300,000 or more could come from.
Category: General Sports
