Mark Stoops Fired at Kentucky: A $38 Million Price Tag for a Program at a Crossroads
Kentucky has parted ways with head football coach Mark Stoops after 13 seasons, a decision fueled by consecutive losing seasons and a hefty $38 million buyout, CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz reports. The move signals a significant shift for the Wildcats, a program heavily invested in men’s basketball and now embarking on a late coaching search in a rapidly evolving college football landscape.
Stoops’ dismissal comes after a particularly disappointing end to the 2024 season, punctuated by lopsided defeats to Vanderbilt and Louisville. Despite a defiant public stance following a 41-0 loss to the Cardinals – stating a “zero percent chance” he would voluntarily leave – the university ultimately moved forward with a change at the helm. “I’m going to be here as far as I’m concerned,” Stoops said at the time. “Now, I can’t control what decisions that are made. But if you’re asking me, I said zero. Zero means zero.”
The Wildcats began the season with a 2-5 record before rallying with three consecutive victories, including remarkable wins over Auburn and Florida. The emergence of redshirt freshman quarterback Cutter Boley offered a glimmer of hope for the future. Though, those gains were quickly erased by listless performances against the Commodores and Cardinals, effectively ending any bowl aspirations and exposing essential weaknesses within the program.
Over the past two seasons,Stoops’ record has fallen to 9-15 (3-13 in SEC play),marking his worst stretch sence taking over from Joker Phillips in 2012. His overall record at Kentucky stands at 82-80 (38-68 SEC), a testament to both periods of success and prolonged struggles.
Stoops initially built the program, leading the Wildcats to their first bowl appearance in four seasons in 2016 and ushering in an era of eight consecutive postseason berths. He orchestrated the program’s first 10-win season since 1977 in 2018,repeating the feat in 2021. However, consecutive 7-6 seasons in 2022 and 2023 foreshadowed the downturn, culminating in a 4-8 campaign in 2024 where the offense ranked 114th nationally in yards per game. Even Boley’s midseason arrival couldn’t salvage competitive showings against key regional rivals like Tennessee, Vanderbilt, and Louisville.
The coaching carousel is already well underway, with SEC rivals Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, LSU, and Ole Miss having already filled their head coaching vacancies. Notably,the University of Florida secured Jon Sumrall,a former Kentucky linebacker and defensive coordinator widely favored by Wildcats fans as Stoops’ potential successor,from Tulane.Stoops himself was a defensive coordinator at Florida State when kentucky hired him, having never previously served as a head coach. He leaves as the longest-tenured coach in program history, having considerably elevated the program’s profile during his tenure.
Why did it end? Mark Stoops was fired due to consecutive losing seasons, culminating in a 4-8 record in 2024 and a significant decline in offensive performance. The university deemed a change in leadership necessary despite his long tenure.
Who was involved? Key figures include Mark Stoops (fired coach
