Kentucky fires coach Stoops after 13 seasons

Kentucky fired head coach Mark Stoops on Monday, completing a move that was initially reported to be in motion one day earlier.

"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," athletic director Mitch Barnhart said in a statement. "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 - who'd been with the Wildcats since 2013 - went 5-7 in 2025, up from 4-8 in '24. However, Kentucky's season ended with two straight losses, including a 41-0 defeat to rival Louisville on Saturday. The Wildcats ranked a paltry 102nd in points per game this year.

Stoops posted an 82-80 record with Kentucky, including a 10-win 2021 campaign that was later vacated because of NCAA infractions. He's the school's winningest football coach.

Under his watch, Kentucky won four bowl games and finished in the top 20 of the final AP Poll twice.

The 58-year-old was signed through June 2031 with an annual salary of $9 million. Kentucky owes him 75% of his remaining salary in a buyout, which is approximately $37.7 million, according to ESPN.