Mark Stoops celebrated after UK beat Louisville for its ninth win Saturday. (Vicky Graff Photo)
For those wondering just how committed coach Mark Stoops was to Kentucky, the answer came Tuesday. After having his name mentioned with coaching vacancies at Florida, LSU, Oklahoma and Miami, Stoops and Kentucky announced he had agreed in principle to a contract extension with amended terms.
The extension runs through June, 2028 — which sounds like a nice boost for the UK head coach. However, it is basically a one-year extension because Stoops’ current contract now goes through June, 2027, because UK already has won nine games to trigger an automatic one-year extension.
Now I am sure Stoops is going to get a pay raise, but it’s obvious indoor training facility upgrades, a bigger recruiting budget that could include access to a private plane and pay raises for staff members meant more to him than anything else. Sure, he’s getting an extension and more money but it is not the ridiculous money other coaches have been getting in recent weeks.
Kentucky athletics director Mitch Barnhart has to know he has a bargain in Stoops and that’s why Barnhart confirmed in a release from UK that he had been in discussion with Stoops in “recent weeks” about an extension.
The two actually agreed on the new contract Saturday afternoon a few hours before UK routed Louisville. That explained to me why parents of recruits committed to UK were so certain Stoops was staying at Kentucky a week ago based on what he had told them.
“I’m excited to continue to build this program to national prominence,” Stoops said. “We’re on our way and I’m more confident in Kentucky football than I’ve ever been.”
That’s because UK won 10 games in 2018 and could do that again this year with a bowl win. Kentucky is on track to sign its highest-ranked recruiting class in two weeks.
The Cats will get their sixth straight bowl bid Sunday — and it should be either the Outback Bowl or Citrus Bowl (my bet remains Outback).
Stoops had his regular weekly radio call-in show Monday with UK Radio Network’s Tom Leach and explained why he was okay releasing info on the contract extension even though it is not completely finalized and signed.
“Most people probably wouldn’t be that confident until a document is signed, but I believe in the people I’m working for.” Stoops said before adding he was still getting calls from schools. “I’m committed to Kentucky.”
Kentucky was 23rd in this week’s coaches poll and 25th in the Associated Press rankings. The Cats also came in No. 23 in the college football playoff rankings.
5 Responses
The Cats are in good hands. With the transfer portal anything can happen. I believe this staff and team could pull off something big if they can snag the right players from the portal.
This staff just knows how to get it done
UK needs to make sure the big tackle, Goodwin, puts ink to paper.
I agree Pup. It is not a done deal yet
"Now I am sure Stoops is going to get a pay raise, but it’s obvious indoor training facility upgrades, a bigger recruiting budget that could include access to a private plane and pay raises for staff members meant more to him than anything else."
Larry, you are right. These are the kind of steps that will help Stoops take this program to the next level of being divisional contenders. Stoops is happy with what he is being paid. He wants to make UK a perennial top 20 program and an eventual SEC title contender. Doing so will put his name in the same discussions as Lincoln Riley, James Franklin, and Jimbo Fisher.
Better facilities, better assistant coaches, more recruiting visits, and a commitment from the school to make those things happen will get noticed by 4 and 5 star recruits as well as their parents. This is what is missing from our efforts to bring more 5 star talent to UK and now is the time to get it done.