JUST IN!!! Kentucky Football’s Mark Stoops Is on the Ropes — But Don’t…

**Kentucky Football’s Mark Stoops Is on the Ropes — But Don’tCount Him Out in the SEC Just Yet**

*Lexington, KY – July 15, 2025* — Mark Stoops, the longtime head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats football program, finds himself in unfamiliar territory heading into the 2025 college football season. Once praised as the architect of Kentucky’s football renaissance, Stoops now faces mounting pressure after two disappointing seasons and an increasingly impatient fanbase. But as the storm clouds gather in Lexington, those who know Stoops best warn against writing him off — especially in the ever-volatile Southeastern Conference (SEC).

### A Coach on the Brink?

Last season was a letdown by any metric. The Wildcats finished with a 6-7 record, including a frustrating 3-5 mark in SEC play. They closed the year with three consecutive losses, including a humbling defeat at the hands of rival Louisville. For a program that had grown accustomed to competing for 8 or 9 wins annually under Stoops, the downturn has sparked tough questions about the direction of the team.

With big investments into facilities, recruiting infrastructure, and NIL initiatives, expectations in Lexington have shifted. No longer is bowl eligibility enough — fans and boosters want Kentucky to contend in the upper half of the SEC East and challenge the league’s traditional powerhouses. And when that doesn’t happen, the spotlight inevitably shifts to the man on the sidelines.

Whispers of frustration among university officials and high-profile donors have only grown louder. Some see the program as stagnating. Others worry that Stoops’ once-effective formula — physical football, a dominant running game, and defensive grit — has been outpaced by the dynamic, pass-heavy offenses dominating the modern SEC.

### The Track Record That Can’t Be Ignored

But before anyone declares the Stoops era over, it’s worth remembering just how far the program has come under his leadership.

When Stoops took over in 2013, Kentucky was one of the SEC’s perennial bottom-dwellers. In the decade that followed, he built a program rooted in development, toughness, and smart recruiting. His 2021 squad went 10-3 and won the Citrus Bowl — one of two double-digit-win seasons during his tenure. The Wildcats enjoyed multiple bowl wins, sent players to the NFL at unprecedented rates, and even beat Florida three years in a row, something that would have been unthinkable just a decade ago.

He is now the winningest coach in school history, surpassing legends like Bear Bryant. More importantly, Stoops helped transform Kentucky from a basketball-only school into a place where football is respected, if not yet dominant.

### The 2025 Outlook: Do-or-Die?

This fall may well determine whether Stoops will continue to lead the Wildcats beyond 2025. The schedule is brutal — as always in the SEC — with Georgia, Tennessee, Texas, and Alabama all looming. But there are also winnable games early in the season that could build momentum. Kentucky will need to start fast to quiet the critics.

Quarterback play will be crucial. The Wildcats will likely lean on sophomore Brock Vandagriff, a former Georgia transfer who showed flashes of brilliance last year but struggled with consistency. The offensive line, a former strength that has regressed in recent years, must improve if the run game is to regain its identity. On defense, Stoops returns several key pieces and will once again call the shots alongside defensive coordinator Brad White.

The recruiting class of 2025 also offers hope. Kentucky’s class ranks in the top 25 nationally and includes several high-upside prospects on both sides of the ball. If those players develop quickly, they could provide an immediate spark.

### Why You Shouldn’t Count Stoops Out

While many are ready to turn the page, Stoops has earned the benefit of the doubt. His teams have consistently punched above their weight. He’s beaten Florida, LSU, and Tennessee during his tenure — schools with vastly superior recruiting pedigrees. He’s navigated staff turnover, quarterback injuries, and shifting NIL landscapes, yet still maintained a degree of competitiveness few thought possible for Kentucky football.

More than that, Stoops has proven to be a survivor. He’s reinvented his approach before, embracing the transfer portal and adapting to new offensive schemes when necessary. That kind of adaptability will be key if he hopes to steer the program back toward relevance.

“I know what the expectations are, and I’m not shying away from them,” Stoops said at SEC Media Days earlier this month. “Nobody’s more invested in the success of this program than I am. And I still believe in what we’re building.”

### Final Word

Is Mark Stoops on the hot seat? Without a doubt. Is it the end of the line? Not yet.

With over a decade of work invested into building Kentucky football into a legitimate SEC contender, Stoops isn’t going to go down without a fight. If the Wildcats can put together a strong start, reclaim their identity on the ground, and unlock consistent quarterback play, they could surprise many — just as Stoops has done so often before.

The clock may be ticking, but betting against Mark Stoops in the SEC has rarely been a smart move.