David Armstrong resigns- Friday’s football news & notes

 

Armstrong resigns

Jen Smith of the Lexington Herald-Leader confirmed with UK officials Friday that the school’s Director of Football Administration, David Armstrong, has resigned. Armstrong, who began the job in April 2011, is reportedly leaving for “other opportunities,” UK spokesperson Tony Neely told the Kernel Friday.

Among Armstrong’s primary responsibilities was assisting the team’s recruiting coordinator, Chuck Smith. Armstrong had previously owned and operated SoutheastScout.com, a recruiting service heavily focused on the Mississippi, Alabama and Texas areas. No news on Armstrong’s replacement has been mentioned to this point.

Team captains named

Following Friday’s practice, however, head football coach Joker Phillips announced that his team captains had been named for the upcoming season. On offense, senior center Matt Smith was named the captain. He will be joined by senior defensive end Collins Ukwu, who was chosen as a team captain by the defense.

Phillips said both Smith and Ukwu won the captain elections, for which Phillips does not hold a vote, by much narrower margins than the captains of previous teams.

“Closest race I’ve ever, ever, ever had,” Phillips said. “On defense it was one-to-two votes difference between three different guys… And on offense, again just one-to-two votes between two different guys.”

For the team’s season opener against Louisville on Sept. 2, senior guard Larry Warford and senior defensive back Martavius Neloms will join Smith and Ukwu as game captains.

Kendrick ineligible for season

Phillips also announced following Friday’s practice that junior tight end Anthony Kendrick will be ineligible for the 2012 season for not meeting the NCAA’s academic requirements. Phillips said Kendrick will spend the fall working out with the scout team and will have “one semester to get it right.”

Junior Tyler Robinson, who received the starting nod in the team’s annual spring game in April, is likely to start at tight end against Louisville.