Kentucky parted ways on Monday with Mark Stoops, the winningest football coach in school history who “transformed the program and reset expectations” in Lexington.
Stoops, 58, compiled an 82-80 record of 13 seasons with the Wildcats. He guided them to 10-win seasons and Citrus Bowl victories in both the 2018 and 2021 seasons.
But Kentucky went 4-8 in 2024 and 5-7 in 2025, most recently taking a 41-0 drubbing at the hands of rival Louisville on Saturday.
Athletic director Mitch Barnhart said on Monday the school decided to “go in a new direction.” Kentucky owes Stoops a buyout of about $37.7 million, or 75% percent of the salary remaining on his contract.
“I want to thank Mark for his dedication and leadership over the past 13 years, and as importantly, the friendship that is marked by walking these journeys together,” Barnhart said in a news release. “His tenure transformed the program and reset expectations. His time here was filled with memorable victories, a historic run of consecutive bowl appearances, and a commitment to developing young men both on and off the field.”
Stoops was asked after Saturday’s loss if there was any chance he might step down.
“I don’t mean to be disrespectful to you,” Stoops said. “I mean, like I’m going to walk away? Are you kidding me? No, zero means zero.”
“Zero percent chance I walk away,” Stoops continued. “I’m going to be here as far as I’m concerned. Now, I can’t control what decisions that are made. If you’re asking me, I’ve said zero. Zero means zero. Zero percent chance I walk away.”
Kentucky is the fifth SEC team to fire its coach this year, and the move only comes after the other four — LSU, Arkansas, Auburn and Florida — already hired their replacements.
The Wildcats will be working in a thinner coaching market, with South Florida’s Alex Golesh, Tulane’s Jon Sumrall and Memphis’ Ryan Silverfield already in line to join Auburn, Florida and Arkansas, respectively. LSU also hired Lane Kiffin away from Ole Miss.
“Kentucky Football is positioned for success,” Barnhart said. “”We will continue to make the necessary investments to recruit an elite head coach, players, and support staff. That includes fully funding revenue-sharing and NIL opportunities, providing state-of-the-art facilities, and ensuring our student-athletes have every resource to thrive.
“Our mission is clear: to build a championship program for the people of Kentucky. We embrace this moment with optimism and determination, confident that the next chapter will see Kentucky Football reach new heights and achieve great success.”
School president Eli Capilouto released a statement supporting Barnhart’s decision to terminate Stoops.
“I want to thank Coach Stoops for his 13 years of service and leadership at the University of Kentucky,” Capilouto said. “He helped lead the revival of this program and achieved historic results. We are deeply appreciative of what he accomplished with this program and with the support of a committed staff throughout UK Athletics, outstanding young men and an incredible fan base.
“It is critically important that we are competitive and successful in football. That is our goal. It is our focus. We intend to be successful.”
Stoops led the Wildcats to eight consecutive bowl games from 2016-23, winning four of them. He was named the SEC Coach of the Year in 2018. Kentucky peaked at No. 7 in the Associated Press during his tenure in 2022.
