Contract extension for Mark Stoops helps recruiting in two ways

A contract extension through the 2030 season and a substantial $2 million per year raise certainly show the commitment Kentucky has not only to coach Mark Stoops but also the football program.

Kentucky associate head coach Vince Marrow says that impacts recruiting in two ways.

It tells high school players that Stoops is not leaving Kentucky but it also sends the same message to current UK players.

“Rumors are around that several schools might be coming after some of our current players,” Marrow said. “I think locking him (Stoops) down is perfect. It was big for a lot of reasons.

“This is a good team. But I am a little worried that we could lose some of our (current) players (via the transfer portal). Just think of all the players we had out there this year making plays who are freshmen or redshirt freshmen.”

Marrow also understands the fan base wanted more wins this season — but so did the coaches and players.

“When we first got here all we heard was, ‘Just get to six (wins) and just get to a bowl.’ It didn’t even matter if we won the bowl. Now we have been to seven bowls in a row and won four in a row.

“Our expectations are high. I want to be in Atlanta (for the SEC Championship game). Despite what some might think, we are very close to doing that. We have some of the best young players in the country here. We just have to keep them and this contract could help that a lot.”

Beating Louisville to end the season helps, too. It got Kentucky to 7-5 overall but also continued the dominance over the in-state rival.

“Not bragging but after I took over recruiting in the state in (20)18, I bet we have probably got 96 percent of the recruits from Kentucky that play in the SEC,” Marrow said.

“Mark does a great job putting emphasis on how important this game is. We knew what type of team we had and Mark knows how to get a team ready for this rivalry. We know beating those guys makes BBN happy and it does help recruiting.”