Stoops sticking with Kentucky
Published 11:32 am Monday, November 27, 2023
- Kentucky coach Mark Stoops (center) is staying with the University of Kentucky. UK Athletics photo by Elliott Hess
By Keith Taylor
Kentucky Today
Mark Stoops isn’t going anywhere after all.
Kentucky’s coach said on X early Sunday morning he is staying at after multiple reports this weekend linked him to the head coaching vacancy at Texas A&M.
Stoops, who is in his 11th season at Kentucky, did not specifically mention Texas A&M in his social media post, saying he was “contacted about a potential opportunity this weekend.”
The Wildcats surprised No. 9 Louisville 38-31 on the road Saturday amid rumors that morning that Stoops was the top candidate for Texas A&M, which fired Jimbo Fisher recently with a $76 million buyout.
Stoops put the rumor to rest around 1 a.m. after Aggieyell.com had reported it was a “done deal barring a last-minute collapse.”
“I know there’s been much speculation about me and my job situation the last couple of days. It’s true I was contacted about a potential opportunity this weekend, but after celebrating a big win against our rivals with players I love like family,” Stoops said on X. “I knew in my heart I couldn’t leave the University of Kentucky right now. I have a great job at a place I love, and I get to work with the best administration and greatest fan base in college football right where I’m at. I’m excited to say I’m a Wildcat!”
Kentucky (7-5, 4-4 SEC) is headed to a bowl game for a school-record eighth consecutive season under Stoops. The last time Kentucky enjoyed a stretch of at least eight straight winning seasons was from 1946 to 1956.
Stoops, 56, is the winningest coach in Kentucky football history with a career record of 73-64 and is currently under contract through the 2031 season.
Kentucky will learn its bowl destination next weekend.