When Mark Stoops took over as head coach for the Kentucky Wildcats, the team had managed only nine winning seasons since 1980. However, Stoops has already secured seven winning seasons within his first 11 years, making him a highly sought-after candidate for other coaching roles. During the offseason, there were reports that he initially agreed to coach the Texas A&M Aggies but ultimately decided to remain with Kentucky.
After a slow start to the 2024 season, a caller on the “Paul Finebaum Show” inquired if Stoops might consider leaving Kentucky at the season’s end. SEC Network analyst Paul Finebaum suggested that Stoops might indeed be contemplating this option after what he described as a “dumpster fire” of a season. “He probably is thinking that right now,” Finebaum commented, noting that although Stoops has had consistent support from both Dr. Capilouto and Mitch Barnhart, the current season has been tumultuous.
With a 3-5 record so far, the Wildcats began with promise after a narrow one-point loss to the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs and a 20-17 road victory against then No. 6 Ole Miss. Optimism quickly faded, however, with three consecutive losses to the Vanderbilt Commodores, Florida Gators, and Auburn Tigers. Facing two top-seven teams in their remaining schedule, bowl game eligibility appears doubtful for the Wildcats. Should they miss bowl qualification, it would be the first time since 2015 that Kentucky has failed to secure a bowl appearance.
Mark Stoops finds himself at a crossroads as Kentucky’s postseason hopes dwindle.
Leave a Reply