Lexington, December 01, 2025
Mark Stoops was dismissed as the University of Kentucky football head coach on December 1, 2025, following 13 seasons with the program. The decision came after two consecutive losing seasons and a decisive 41-0 loss to rival Louisville, signaling a need for change amid growing performance concerns.
Tenure and Achievements
Stoops held the position since 2013, becoming Kentucky’s all-time winningest football coach with 72 official wins, a record achieved despite some vacated victories. His leadership brought the Wildcats peak performances, with notable 10-win seasons in 2018 and 2021, representing some of the best outcomes in program history. Under Stoops, Kentucky developed a tougher culture and produced consistent NFL prospects, including four first-round NFL draft selections from 2019 through 2025.
Recent Performance Decline and Context
Despite earlier successes, recent years saw a notable decline. The Wildcats recorded losing records in 2024 (4-8) and 2025 (5-7), with a particularly poor start in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), going 0-3 in 2025. Additionally, a five-game losing streak on the road underscored growing struggles, the worst stretch since the 2015-16 seasons. The 41-0 loss to archrival Louisville to close out 2025 exacerbated frustrations among fans and stakeholders, fueling calls for a coaching change at one of college football’s most competitive programs.
Financial Implications of the Firing
Stoops was under contract through June 2031 at an annual salary of $9 million. His dismissal triggered a substantial contract buyout estimated at $37.7 million, placing it among the highest in college football’s recent history. This financial commitment ranks within the top five buyouts in 2025, alongside figures for prominent coaches in other major programs. The magnitude of the buyout demonstrates both the financial risk inherent in SEC coaching decisions and Kentucky’s willingness to invest heavily to recalibrate the football program.
Loyalty and Prior Negotiations
Throughout 2025, Stoops declined approaches to negotiate his buyout early and consistently expressed an intent to remain with Kentucky. He also reportedly turned down other coaching opportunities, exemplifying loyalty to the program despite pressures arising from team performance. This firing reflects the complex balance between long-term relationships and immediate results in high-stakes collegiate sports.
Program Direction and Outlook
Kentucky’s decision to part ways with Stoops underscores its commitment to reversing recent trends amid intense SEC competition. The program’s history under Stoops combines both high achievement and recent challenges, framing the firing as a strategic move intended to restore competitiveness and satisfy rising expectations from fans, alumni, and university leadership.
As college football increasingly blends financial stakes with athletic ambitions, Kentucky’s sizable buyout obligation highlights the evolving nature of coaching leadership transitions. The forthcoming search for Stoops’ successor will focus on reinvigorating Kentucky’s program in one of the nation’s most demanding conferences.