By Chandler Howard

Joker Phillips has filled another gap in the UK football program.

The Cats’ head coach brought on UK alumnus and former assistant football coach Greg Nord to serve as the special teams and tight ends coach. He returns to UK, replacing Steve Ortmayer, who was released two weeks ago. Phillips believes Nord possesses the talents necessary for the position, though he has never been designated a special teams coordinator.

But he is certainly no stranger to collegiate coaching. Working at the University of Louisville from 1995-2009, Nord helped push the program to nine bowl game appearances, amongst other notable feats. He proved his versatility by acting as an assistant coach, recruiting coordinator, tight ends coach and running backs coach while there.

Nord comes most recently from the University of Illinois, where he signed on in December to be the tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator. He also served shortly at East Carolina University and Georgia Tech prior to his most prominent stint at Louisville.

A Louisville native, Nord played for UK from 1974-78, headlining as a center, tight end and long snapper. His athletic career was highlighted by the 1976 Southeastern Conference championship title, as well as the team’s near-perfect 10-1 in 1977. He also acted as UK’s assistant coach from 1979-89, serving as a graduate assistant his first three years.

Phillips trusts Nord’s deep passion for UK athletics will help him succeed as a returning coach.