It’s getting uncomfortably warm for Mark Stoops in Lexington. Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde ranked Stoops among the college football coaches most in trouble this season, describing his seat as “the surface of Venus” hot.
Like many, Forde noted that Stoops’ massive buyout, reportedly around $38 million, could complicate any potential move. It’s a steep figure for the university, but there is one silver lining.
Forde noted that because John Calipari opted to leave Kentucky on his own terms rather than
being fired in 2023, that saved the school around $34 million in buyout money. So one could argue that money saved is even more reason why Kentucky needs to make a move now to fire Stoops and take advantage the grace they were given with Cal’s move to Arkansas.
Stoops, who holds a 69–76 record in his 13th year at Kentucky, is facing mounting pressure as the Wildcats continue to struggle in SEC play.
While Kentucky’s overtime loss to Texas over the weekend showed plenty of fight, moral victories aren’t moving the needle in the SEC. The Wildcats have now dropped nine straight conference games and 16 of their last 18 overall which is a brutal stretch that has frustrated fans and fueled questions about the program’s direction.
Offense remains the glaring issue for Stoops’ team. Despite solid recruiting and defensive identity, the Wildcats have been near the bottom of the league statistically for the past two seasons.
If things don’t turn soon, Stoops’ once steady run in Lexington could be nearing its breaking point and patience among Kentucky fans appears to be wearing thin.
