LEXINGTON, Ky. — Pete Nochta has been promoted to general manager of Kentucky football, ascending from his role as assistant general manager just seven months after joining the program.

Nochta's elevation comes one day after Pat Biondo resigned from the position, citing personal reasons. Biondo had been hired by Head Coach Will Stein in December but departed before the Wildcats' inaugural fall camp under Stein's leadership.

"Pete has been a key contributor to the strong start our football program has made," UK Athletics Director J Batt said. "He has helped build a strong foundation in recruiting, roster management and player evaluation, and we're excited for him to take on this role."

In his new role, Nochta will oversee the Wildcats' personnel operations, including player evaluation, recruiting strategy and roster management. Stein, who came to Kentucky from Oregon where he served as offensive coordinator, praised Nochta's immediate impact since his January arrival.

"Pete has earned this opportunity through the work he's done since arriving at Kentucky in January," Stein said. "He's been an invaluable part of building our roster and establishing the foundation of our personnel operation."

Nochta brings more than a decade of collegiate football experience, including 10 seasons at Louisville. As the Cardinals' director of recruiting for four years, he helped recruit notable players including future NFL standouts Tutu Atwell and Mekhi Becton.

The promotion represents a homecoming of sorts for Nochta, who attended Tates Creek High School in Lexington and has deep family ties to UK football. His father, John Nochta, was a Kentucky football letterwinner from 1973-76 and later became a high school coaching legend, leading Bryan Station High School to the 1999 Class 4A state finals.

Nochta and Stein share a notable connection: both played tight end for Louisville and were teammates during the Cardinals' 2007 Orange Bowl season. Nochta played in 35 career games for Louisville, recording 11 receptions for 146 yards and two touchdowns.