Mark Stoops is 31-17 the last four years, one reason his name is mentioned with several coaching vacancies. (UK Athletics Photo)
Having his name mentioned with other coaching vacancies across the country is a distraction for Kentucky coach Mark Stoops this week as he prepares his team to play at rival Louisville on Saturday night.
However, at least it is better than one other possible scenario.
“As I mentioned jokingly weeks ago when somebody mentioned that, I’d rather it be that than you guys all talk about when they’re going to fire me,” Stoops said Monday.
There have been multiple media reports about Stoops being on the list of potential candidates at both Florida and LSU. It seems like every day there is another outlet reporting the same info.
Stoops insisted Monday that he is committed to Kentucky.
“I have no control over that. I don’t want that out there,” Stoops said during his weekly press conference. “I don’t want that distraction. I don’t ask for that.”
“I can only control trying to win and build a program here. I think we can all understand I’ve been nothing but committed to doing that here and plan on doing that.”
Stoops has a 57-53 record in nine seasons at UK and is within three wins of tying Bear Bryant for the most coaching victories at Kentucky.
After going 12-26 in his first 38 games at UK, Stoops is 45-27 since then, including 10-3 in 2018 and 8-3 this season. Stoops is 31-17 the last four years. He has a UK-best 41 home wins in his nine seasons.
Kentucky has won at least seven games in five of the last six seasons. The exception was the 2020 COVID season.
14 Responses
This is great news. Thank you Coach Stoops.
Stoops has one of the best contracts in the big 5 conferences! Every year he wins 7 games he gets another year added to his contract to maintain a 5 year contract. If he keeps UK in the upper tier of the east division, he will have that job until he retires. The OU and Texas addition will force realignment……maybe Sabin will hang it up then, although I doubt it!
I have heard a lot of fans complain about Stoops and his teams over the years which is pathetic. He has done more with less than any coach in the SEC. Some fans are like a greedy spouse, they always want more. I say when you have something good you better hang on to it. You will miss it when it’s gone.
I couldn’t agree more! I’ve been a fan for over 40 years. Thank you Mark Stoops!
This is great news for the UK football program, which Coach Stoops has elevated to respectability, and will continue to do so. I hope the Univerisity to help him further by providing the facilities that Coach Stoops needs and to compensate is very able assistant coaches at a level that will keep them here too.
We are fortunate to have Coach Stoops God Bless Him
Mitch, finish your commitment to Stoops…..give him the full indoor facility with the entire field not cut short by an indoor track !!
Stoops has done a remarkable job at UK. He has brought in the much needed talent to at least compete in the SEC East. He has put UK football "front and center" in this rebuild. He is a coach that other programs are looking at as a possible hire now. I sure hope he is a man of his word.
As long as Coach keeps winning more than his fair share of football games, and bowling each year, he will be fine at UK. Start losing, and he will feel the heat just like every other coach in this league.
UK will be rebuilding next year, they lose a group of real good football players off this 2021 team. I hope he can continue his success. UK, IMO, must sign at least a top 25 class every year now, and top six in the SEC to "stem the tide." The 2022 class looks solid if they all sign. That in itself is real progress that could pay great dividends.
There is a big game coming this Saturday that UK needs to win to close out the regular season, and maintain momentum. I believe Louisville will be a challenge for this UK defense. UK must play hard and execute. They must play a complete game. For many UK football fans, this is the big one! As for UK football in year 2021, well done Coach Stoops, you have made us proud. GO CATS!!!
Build that man his indoor facility!! Some of us realize what coach Stoops have done for this team and love the brand of football he brings to the table year after year. Thank you Coach Stoops and please don’t change your mind!!
Preach it Richard
Coach Stoops has and continues to o er achieve at Kentucky. The recruit star rating is getting better, the defense is Stout, the offense is rolling. Personally, in my opinion, he’s maybe 3 to 5 players away from taking the east title. Yes Georgia is solid, but they had to build up too. Florida isn’t Florida of old and winning against them is still sweet. A bad GAME at MSU and 2 bad plays against UT, wipe those out they are 9-1, excellent job coach and players.
Now turn Levis and the relievers loose, be more aggressive as they were against UT and they will really compete for the east, maybe the conference.
We’re having it good with Stoops, I hope he reads this and finishes his career at UK.
GO C A T S, C-A-T-S, CATS CATS CATS.
And he got a great receiver today in Barion Brown
Best response. Provide or raise the roof on the indoor facility.
Punters are tired of cranking balls off
the roof. How many punt returns has Stoops had on record? Maybe 3
Timber frame construction would be the bomb. A la natural "Campus Beautiful"
With you 1,000 percent Greg