Mark Stoops (Vicky Graff Photo)
Because Mark Stoops seems to often talk about NIL and fundraising, he gets asked about it a lot and the Kentucky coach did again Wednesday on the SEC coaches teleconference.
Stoops was asked about delegating time for roster management and noted that former UK offensive coordinator Eddie Gran, UK football’s general manager, was with him and the two would be having a conference call with UK athletics director Mitch Barnhart and associate athletics director Marc Hill even though Stoops did not say what the call was about.
“That tells you roster management, the plan, all that, it’s a real challenge. It certainly is. I think — without whining or crying or any sour grapes — I think some institutions are built differently than others if you don’t have to fundraise, you know what I mean, if the resources are there,” said Stoops.
That opened the door for his familiar words about NIL.
“I think the only thing that really has been new, or extremely challenging, has been for myself of raising all the money for NIL, relatively by myself and with Eddie Gran doing that,” Stoops said. “And that’s really not something I signed up for, being a fundraiser.
“I’d like to spend my time with my players and developing them and being around them and having strong relationships with them. I think that’s just the one area. But again, I don’t want to make too much of that because it is what it is, and we’re figuring it out.”
Nothing really new there and NIL concerns/fundraising are not going away. However, Stoops saved his most intriguing comment for next.
“I’m completely excited about the future and getting these problems solved,” Stoops said.
That’s the most positive comment he’s made about the future after his team’s 4-6 mark has had many questioning his future. However, I’ve been told he’s making it clear to younger players at UK he intends to be back and this certainly makes it sound that way.
18 Responses
This sounds like someone who is worried about keeping their job.
Be the school that pays run blocking o-lineman the most money, still recruit great rbs and get wrs that are also very good at blocking, like a Dorian Baker type. Go all in on running the ball , Spurrier said he started throwing around the ball at Florida, because no one else was doing it and he couldn’t out recruit UGa, Bama etc for their players. Only way Stoops will be happy , is to go all in on the run.
He has to stay because nobody wants him.
Is he excited about the future because he has another destination in mind?….Pack em up coach..We are ready for Calipari 2.
I hate to say that but most of the discussion about Stoops leaving is mostly wishful thinking. Think about it. The guy is making $8 Million + a year to produce the next to the last team in the SEC. He’s too young to retire but if the waits out the end of his contract he will be retirement age. UK will buy him out before that happens but UK is not going to pony up $40 Million to do that. So look for Stoops the be around for a while yet. With the record he has, not many schools paying upwards of $10 Million will be willing to buy him.
RJ, I am afraid you are right.
9 mil + bonus
Tack on another $10 million for the assistants. Total= $50 million
I can understand where he is coming from. I hated having to spend days and days doing things I was not hired to do. It took away from my time to build the programs I was hired to build, so I understand his frustration.
In reality, the University should have a department that is responsible for the NIL of all UK programs. I can see the coaches having to go to some gatherings, throw their name around, sound off on some ideas for their programs, etc., but I don’t see them being responsible for the NIL of all their players. Having said that, is Stoops willing to take a pay cut to allow the university monetary flexibility to hire a few people to help with this part of his program. A million or two cut from his salary would hire a lot of people to do the job he hates doing.
UK might win 8 in another 20 years. Every year it’s the same hook, line and sinker, we’re bigger, faster, stronger and deeper than we’ve ever been. I’ve been following since 1977 and nothing has ever changed.
I’m not sure if I wanted to be a coach with this NIL you got to deal with. It seems to be more headache to deal with.
This whole thing is a joke. This is no longer college athletics, it’s now overpaid minor league sports where everyone is a ‘free agent’ who if they have a good season will shake down the fans for more money or they are going to leave. Next year the Universities get to start paying these overpaid minor league athletes. What a freaking joke! I never have nor will I ever donate to the NIL.
You’re spot on David..
If any coach in UK football history deserves not to have to listen to a bunch of whiners, it’s Stoops. When the crybabies finally run him off, Ky will officially be a Basketball School again.
Look, everybody, it’s the Virtue-Signaler again, instructing all of us REAL fans how to behave, how to think, what to say and what not to say……they should go visit the BROS FOR KAMALA webpage…….
Oh my. What to say. Well, re NIL, I was thrilled at the prospect of this so these young men would have a few dollars (which now in a joke) in their pockets to perhaps take a girl out to dinner, movie, etc. But now it is not amateur athletics, it is ‘professional’. So sad. And, of course, the bigger schools, cities, states, alumni, have the money to pay the players, and schools like UK have to solicit funds. The concept was great, but in reality, it is unfair. GO CATS!
Why do you think Nick Saben Retired. Because of N.I.L. Everybody on here is acting like; Coaching is so easy. Im not happy about this year; But i seen the Future; Boley. The Real fact; is our O-Line sucks, as our O-Line Coach Eric Wolford. He’s not a pimple on the late great Schlarman Butt. Fact: We are stuck with Stoops. Just like we were with Calipari. I think Stoops earned the Right to one crappy year. After he rebuilt this program. I think injuries Hurt us; especially at the CB. I hope we get Dominant pass Rushers& Shut-Down corners. We got a greaf Men & Womens basketball team; to be positive
I think he will be back Mike