Kentucky coach Mark Stoops is searching for a new assistant coach after the departure of Dean Hood to become the new head coach at Murray State, a move that takes him back to a head job again in the Commonwealth.

Derek Terry of The Cats Pause shared a statement from Stoops, who wished Hood well in the move. Stoops said Hood’s work as a special teams coordinator and defensive assistant was a big part of the Wildcats’ success.

Hood was in his second season on Stoops’ staff as the special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach.

Previously, Hood spent 13 years at Eastern Kentucky, including eight seasons as the head coach from 2008-15. Hood spent the 2016 season as the assistant head coach, special teams coordinator and tight ends coach at Charlotte, and previously spent seven years (2001-07) as the defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons forced 186 turnovers during his tenure, more than two per game.

Hood began coaching in 1987 at NAIA Fairmont (W.Va.).