Kentucky announces resignations of two of its longest-tenured head coaches on the same day

Two of the University of Kentucky’s longest-tenured head coaches resigned within hours of each other on Tuesday.

Brian Craig, UK’s men’s golf coach since 2001-02, and Carlos Drada, the Wildcats’ women’s tennis coach since 2005-06, resigned “to pursue other opportunities,” the school announced.

Both coaches just completed the final seasons of four-year contract extensions that expire June 30. Craig is being paid $185,000 for the final year of a deal that escalated from $165,000 in its first year. Drada was paid $130,000 per year in his most recent contract. Both coaches received additional compensation through incentives and endorsements.

Kentucky Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart said national searches would be launched to replace both head coaches.

Among Kentucky’s head coaches, only the rifle team’s Harry Mullins (1987) has been on staff longer than Craig and Drada. Volleyball coach Craig Skinner’s first season was the same as Drada’s, the 2005-06 school year.

The highlight of Craig’s 22-season run as men’s golf coach was guiding the Wildcats to the Southeastern Conference championship in 2005, UK’s first and only league title in the sport. He led UK to top-10 NCAA finishes in 2003, 2005 and 2006.

“I’m grateful for Brian’s commitment to the program and his leadership of our student-athletes during his time here,” Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart said in a news release. “I am thankful for the accomplishments on the course and in the classroom and wish him the best in the future.”

Kentucky finished 13^th in the SEC Tournament last week at St. Simons Island, Georgia, and failed to qualify for the NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats’ best finish this school year was a third place in the Hamptons Intercollegiate at East Hampton, N.Y., last fall.

“It has been the honor and privilege of a lifetime to coach the Kentucky men’s golf team for the last 22 years,” Craig said. “We have accomplished quite a few monumental achievements in that time frame but that is absolutely not what has made it all worthwhile.

“The lifelong relationships that I have forged with my players, their families, my assistant coaches, our friends of the program and all the extraordinary people here at the University of Kentucky has enriched my life beyond what words can describe.”

Drada’s connection to UK dates to his playing days, when he was a four-year letterman in men’s tennis from 1997-2000. He served as an assistant coach for four years before becoming UK’s women’s head coach in 2005.

“During Carlos’ years on the coaching staff, as he did during his time as a player, he dedicated himself to UK tennis,” Barnhart said. “I’m appreciative of the achievements of his teams and student-athletes and wish the best for him as he moves forward.”

UK finished 12-13 overall and 4-9 in the SEC in 2023. The Wildcats won won two matches in the SEC Tournament as the No. 11 seed before bowing out in the quarterfinals.

Before losing seasons this year and last, Drada’s squads posted nine consecutive winning campaigns.

“I take so many treasures with me during the last 18 seasons as a head coach,” Drada said. “I am grateful for each and every one of the athletes that I got to influence, teach and learn from, and especially my team and staff this season. We competed with heart and the process is not finished; the best is yet to come.”