If this college football season has taught fans anything, it’s programs aren’t afraid to fire head coaches midseason — even tenured ones. Just ask Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State’s former head coach, and James Franklin, Penn State’s former head coach.
Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops, the longest-tenured current Southeastern Conference football coach, could soon become the eighth head coach to be sacked this season.
Stoops is the winningest coach in program history, but consistency has eluded him, posting a 79-76 record since taking over the Wildcats in 2013.
Coming off a disappointing 4-8 campaign in 2024, the Wildcats haven’t shown much improvement. Kentucky is tied for last in the SEC, sitting at 2-3 through seven weeks of play and still searching for its first conference win.
The Wildcats also haven’t sealed a Power Four victory and their last two losses against South Carolina and Georgia came by more than two touchdowns each.
With programs like No. 21 Texas, No. 11 Tennessee and No. 17 Vanderbilt still on the horizon, Kentucky could be on the verge of another losing season.
As losses continue to tally, frustration in Lexington continues to build. It’s not necessarily about winning championships or dethroning the top programs, but at the very least, Big Blue Nation just wants to see progress. Instead, the team is stuck in a rut that feels like an endless time loop.
Kentucky doesn’t have the same kind of big-time donors or resources compared to college football’s blue bloods, but after almost 13 years at the helm, Stoops hasn’t shown that he can recruit at a high level, develop elite playmakers or create a consistent winning culture.
In his tenure, the Wildcats haven’t come close to a postseason championship appearance or produced a season with more than 10 wins.
Some may chalk up this year’s struggles to roster turnover amid the collegiate name, image and likeness and transfer portal era, but it’s Stoops’ job to adapt to college football’s new landscape. Regardless of the circumstances, Kentucky hasn’t won a conference game in over a year.
To his credit, Stoops helped reinvigorate the program at times, leading Kentucky to eight bowl games and two 10-win seasons. However, that’s simply no longer enough.
After each loss, Stoops tends to give the same excuse — citing a lack of discipline and preparation, accepting indirect blame and pledging to “do a better job” only for the team just to lose in the same fashion the next Saturday.
For many fans, Stoops is running out of excuses and time, especially for a coach making $9 million a year while delivering disappointing results season after season. And the lack of patience is reflected in the weak fan morale and a half-empty Kroger Field each Saturday.
Stoops could be saved by the bill, since his buyout is a hefty $37.7 million that must be paid within 60 days. Kentucky radio insider Matt Jones said that the Wildcats football program can afford to pay, but would prefer not to.
Additionally, rumors have also circulated linking Stoops to the Virginia Tech job.
Regardless, his position in Lexington remains on shaky ground, no matter how the rest of the season pans out.
