Kentucky fires Mark Stoops after 5-7 season

Published: Monday, December 1, 2025 at 3:49 am

Kentucky Fires Mark Stoops After Disappointing Season

Lexington, KY – The University of Kentucky has parted ways with head football coach Mark Stoops, ending his 13-season tenure. The announcement came Sunday, following a 5-7 season and just one day after Stoops declined to resign. ESPN's Pete Thamel was the first to report the news.

Stoops leaves the program as its winningest head coach, with a 72-80 record. He initially struggled, with two 5-7 seasons and a 2-10 record. However, he turned the program around, leading the Wildcats to a school-record eight consecutive bowl appearances.

Despite this success, Stoops was unable to secure an SEC championship. His teams managed only one 10-win season in a highly competitive conference. Recent performance has been particularly concerning, with a 3-13 record in conference play over the last two seasons. The final blow came with a significant loss to rival Louisville.

The university now faces the challenge of finding a replacement and managing Stoops' substantial $38 million buyout, as reported by Pete Nakos of On3/Rivals.

Kentucky joins a growing list of Southeastern Conference programs making coaching changes this season. Before Stoops' departure, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, and LSU had already fired their head coaches. Ole Miss briefly had an opening, but it was filled by defensive coordinator Jeff Golding. Michigan State also announced a coaching change on Sunday.

Potential candidates to replace Stoops include G.J. Kinne of Texas State, who has a strong track record of bowl appearances and a successful season at Incarnate Word. Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein, a Louisville native, is also a potential candidate. The university could also consider a more ambitious move, such as pursuing Brian Kelly.

BNN's Perspective:

The decision to move on from Mark Stoops is understandable given the recent performance and the need for a fresh approach. While Stoops brought stability and bowl appearances, the lack of SEC success and the recent struggles in conference play likely prompted the university to seek a coach who can elevate the program to the next level. The next hire will be crucial for the future of Kentucky football.

Keywords: Kentucky, Mark Stoops, football, coaching change, SEC, Wildcats, bowl appearances, G.J. Kinne, Will Stein, Brian Kelly, firing, Lexington, NCAA, college football

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