Vicky Graff Photo
News that Kentucky was being put on a two-year probation and had to vacate 10 wins from its 2021 football season broke a little over a week ago about an hour after UK’s Media Day ended — and coach Mark Stoops was nowhere to be found to answer questions.
Stoops had not been available to the media all week until after Saturday’s scrimmage when he discussed the probation that resulted from some UK football players being paid for work they did not perform at UK HealthCare.
“I really can’t say much. I’m not trying to dodge it,” Stoops said when asked about the probation. “But I mean, you’re disappointed because people did a lot of hard work to get to that place.
“And obviously, three years ago to now, things have changed dramatically (with NIL). But it still doesn’t make it OK.”
Kentucky athletics director Mitch Barnhart and university president Eli Capilouto both issued statements after the NCAA ruling was announced.
Why no statement from Stoops?
“The NCAA has asked me not to say anything about it. I’m not dodging it. Heck, it was three years ago. I’m really worried about right now, you know what I mean?” Stoops told media members.
Kentucky did not lose any scholarships as part of the probation and also was not banned from any bowl games if it qualifies to play in a bowl game.
“We work tirelessly to educate our kids and to make sure they’re doing things right. We’ve worked really hard. We’re far from perfect, but we work at it. We try to do the best we can. I know the compliance in general at this university is very diligent. We work at it. We’re not perfect,” Stoops said.
“Certainly in today’s world, we wouldn’t be having these conversations. You can just flat give it to them — well, I shouldn’t say that. You gotta send a tweet to get a million dollars — if you call that work. So it’s a little different.”
9 Responses
Tough job has become progressively tougher.
I am concerned that college sports may not be sustainable under the total free agency of players and NIL.
Valid concern
Colledge Athletics is getting as bad Politics these days!
Gotta a wealthy friend who says he’s become “ donation weary “.
Had an idea – give X amount of money to an athletic fund, put into a trust or fund of some sort that will produce yearly income to be used for NIL… etc. Have a TOD on the givers gross amount to be transferred upon death – or in case of personal need.
With NIL being what it is today, why would the NCAA ever bring up such a minor infraction unless it had an axe to grind against a particular school?
I wonder how many schools in the SEC “asked”, The NCAA to look into these so called infractions? Was UK singled out by other coaches? Consider, all the programs are competing for a very small talent pool of HS players.
Cheating from his first year in Lexington
This is very sad indeed. I am disappointed in the players who participated in this. It is nothing short of stealing. Says a lot about a person’s integrity. But we must move on and hope and pray and teach players right and wrong. Let’s go CATS and have a great season.