Mark Stoops
{{Short description|American football player and coach (born 1967)}}
{{for|the American politician in Indiana|Mark Stoops (politician)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox college coach
| name = Mark Stoops
| image = Mark Stoops in 2013.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Stoops at Kroger Field in 2013
| current_title = Head coach
| current_team = Kentucky
| current_conference = SEC
| current_record = 67–73
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1967|7|9}}
| birth_place = Youngstown, Ohio, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| alma_mater =
| player_years1 = 1986–1988
| player_team1 = Iowa
| player_positions = Defensive back
| coach_years1 = 1990–1991
| coach_years2 = 1992–1995
| coach_team2 = Nordonia HS (OH) (AD/DB)
| coach_years3 = 1996
| coach_team3 = South Florida (DB)
| coach_years4 = 1997–1999
| coach_team4 = Wyoming (DB)
| coach_years5 = 2000
| coach_team5 = Houston (co-DC/S)
| coach_years6 = 2001–2003
| coach_team6 = Miami (FL) (DB)
| coach_years7 = 2004–2009
| coach_team7 = Arizona (DC/DB)
| coach_years8 = 2010–2012
| coach_team8 = Florida State (DC/DB)
| coach_years9 = 2013–present
| coach_team9 = Kentucky
| HeadCoachYear = 12th
| HCWins = 67
| HCLosses = 73
| overall_record = 67–72 ({{winpct|67|73|0}})
| bowl_record = 4–4 ({{winpct|4|4|0}})
| tournament_record =
| championships =
| awards = SEC Coach of the Year (2018)
| coaching_records =
}}
Mark Thomas Stoops (born July 9, 1967) is an American college football coach and former player. He is the head football coach for the University of Kentucky, a position he has held since 2013. Stoops is the all-time winningest head coach in the history of the Kentucky Wildcats football program. He is also the longest-tenured current SEC football coach.
Early life
Stoops, one of six children born to Ron and Evelyn "Dee Dee" Stoops, attended Cardinal Mooney High School in Youngstown, Ohio, where his father was an assistant coach and defensive coordinator.{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/29/sports/college-football-preview-2004-a-family-of-coaches-has-followed-its-leader.html |title=A Family of Coaches Has Followed Its Leader |last=Thamel |first=Pete |author-link=Pete Thamel |date=August 29, 2004 |work=The New York Times |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110123203344/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/29/sports/college-football-preview-2004-a-family-of-coaches-has-followed-its-leader.html |archivedate=January 23, 2011 |accessdate=November 27, 2012 |location=Manhattan, New York}}{{Cite web |last=Trotter |first=Jake |author-link=Jake Trotter |date=August 19, 2008 |title=A symbol of Youngstown: Blue-collar roots, values define Stoops |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/college/sooners/2008/08/19/a-symbol-of-youngstown-blue-collar-roots-values-define-stoops/61552787007/ |access-date=July 18, 2023 |website=The Oklahoman |language=en-US}} He is the brother of former Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops and former Arizona head coach Mike Stoops.
After graduating from high school, Stoops played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes from 1986 to 1988.{{Cite web |last=Boulton |first=Ginny |date=December 30, 2022 |title=Mark Stoops discusses 'honor' of playing alma mater Iowa in Music City Bowl |url=https://saturdaytradition.com/iowa-football/mark-stoops-discusses-honor-of-playing-alma-mater-iowa-in-music-city-bowl/ |access-date=July 18, 2023 |website=Saturday Tradition |language=en-US}}
Coaching career
Stoops was a graduate assistant coach at Iowa from 1989 to 1991.{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Keith |date=December 7, 2021 |title=Stoops has 'nothing but fond memories from the Hawkeye experience' |url=https://www.murrayledger.com/sports/state_ap/stoops-has-nothing-but-fond-memories-from-the-hawkeye-experience/article_cb7b7e4e-570b-11ec-828b-57fdc52bc683.html |access-date=July 18, 2023 |website=Murray Ledger and Times |language=en}} He later became the athletic director and defensive backs coach at Nordonia High School in Macedonia, Ohio (1992–1995).{{Cite web |last=Carlson |first=Jenni |date=December 16, 2001 |title=Mark Stoops has chance to match brothers' feat |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2001/12/16/the-miami-connection-mark-stoops-has-chance-to-match-brothers-feat/62115303007/ |access-date=July 18, 2023 |website=The Oklahoman |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Clay |first=John |date=September 16, 2022 |title='Very unique place.' Mark Stoops left Youngstown, but Youngstown didn't leave Mark Stoops. |url=https://www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/john-clay/article265768066.html |access-date=July 17, 2023 |website=Kentucky.com}}
In 1996, Stoops was the defensive backs coach for South Florida.{{Cite web |last=Hale |first=Jon |date=November 22, 2021 |title=With his name tied to Florida and LSU football, Mark Stoops insists he's 'committed' to UK |url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2021/11/22/florida-football-coach-search-mark-stoops-says-hes-committed-uk/8623302002/ |access-date=July 18, 2023 |website=The Courier-Journal |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last1=Scarborough |first1=Alex |last2=McGee |first2=Ryan |date=October 14, 2021 |title=How Mark Stoops brought winning – and fun – back to Kentucky football |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/32395243/mark-stoops-brought-winning-fun-back-kentucky-football |access-date=July 18, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}
Stoops served as the defensive backs coach for the University of Wyoming Cowboys from 1997 to 1999.{{Cite web |date=June 21, 1999 |title=Mark Stoops |url=https://gowyo.com/news/2016/6/29/5773f050e4b0bdd131abf890_131478125263041450 |access-date=July 18, 2023 |website=University of Wyoming Athletics |language=en}}
At Wyoming, Stoops served under head coach Dana Dimel. When Dimel was hired at the University of Houston, he took Stoops with him to join the Cougars as co-defensive coordinator (along with Dick Bumpas) and safeties coach in 2000."Houston Cougars". – San Antonio Express-News. – August 20, 2000.
=Miami (FL)=
In February 2001, Stoops was named the defensive backs coach for the University of Miami Hurricanes, replacing Chuck Pagano, who left to go to the Cleveland Browns.{{Cite web |date=March 5, 2001 |title=Mark Stoops Hired As Defensive Backs Coach |url=https://miamihurricanes.com/news/2001/03/05/205544700-2/ |access-date=July 18, 2023 |website=University of Miami Athletics |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Matthew |date=July 22, 2019 |title=Florida football: How the 2019 opposing coaches have fared against the Gators |url=https://hailfloridahail.com/2019/07/22/florida-football-how-the-2019-opposing-coaches-have-fared-against-the-gators/4/ |access-date=July 18, 2023 |website=Hail Florida Hail |language=en-US}}
=Arizona=
Mark's brother, Mike, was hired as the head coach of the Arizona Wildcats for the 2004 season. Mike later hired Mark as part of his staff.{{Cite web |last=Rubenstein |first=Alan |date=December 28, 2009 |title=Stoops Prepares To Coach Last Game at Arizona |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/315568-stoops-prepares-to-coach-last-game-at-arizona |access-date=July 18, 2023 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=Josh |date=March 2, 2020 |title=Mark Stoops' brother Mike won't be joining the Kentucky football staff |url=https://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-football/article240435796.html |access-date=July 17, 2023 |website=Kentucky.com}}
=Florida State=
On December 11, 2009, Stoops accepted the job as defensive coordinator at Florida State University.{{Cite web |date=December 11, 2009 |title=FSU hires Mark Stoops |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/acc/post/_/id/7819/fsu-hires-stoops |access-date=July 18, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}
While at Florida State, Stoops played against his brother Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops in 2011.{{cite journal | vauthors=((Hayes, M.)) | journal=Sporting News | title=College football has a new first family | volume=234 | issue=19/20 | pages=67–67 | publisher=American City Business Journal | date=30 August 2010 | url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=shib&db=s3h&AN=53275011&authtype=sso&custid=s8441008&site=ehost-live&scope=site | issn=0038-805X | access-date=6 December 2024}}
=Kentucky=
On November 27, 2012, Stoops was hired as the new head coach of the University of Kentucky football program, replacing former head coach Joker Phillips, who was fired after a 2–10 season.{{Cite web |date=November 5, 2012 |title=Kentucky Fires Football Coach Phillips |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/05/sports/ncaafootball/kentucky-fires-football-coach-joker-phillips.html |access-date=July 5, 2023 |website=The New York Times |language=en-US |agency=Associated Press}}{{Cite magazine |date=November 27, 2012 |title=Kentucky hires FSU assistant Mark Stoops as coach |url=https://www.si.com/college/2012/11/27/kentucky-mark-stoops-ap |access-date=July 5, 2023 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |language=en-us}} In Stoops' first season as the Kentucky Head coach, he went 2–10, followed by back to back 5–7 seasons.{{Cite web |title=2013 Kentucky Wildcats Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/kentucky/2013-schedule.html |access-date=July 5, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=2014 Kentucky Wildcats Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/kentucky/2014-schedule.html |access-date=July 5, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=2015 Kentucky Wildcats Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/kentucky/2015-schedule.html |access-date=July 5, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
In 2014, Stoops signed a contract extension that would last until 2019.{{cite journal | journal=NCAA News | title=Kentucky extends head coach Mark Stoops’ contract through 2019 | pages=1–1 | publisher=National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) | date=31 October 2014 | issn=0027-6170}}
After an 0–2 start to the 2016 season, Stoops led the Wildcats to a 7–6 finish after that start and defeated their in-state rival, the eleventh-ranked Louisville Cardinals 41–38.{{Cite web |date=November 26, 2016 |title=Kentucky upsets No. 11 Louisville 41–38 after Lamar Jackson fumble |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2016/11/26/kentucky-beats-no-11-louisville-41-38-after-jackson-fumble/94479600/ |access-date=July 18, 2023 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US |agency=Associated Press}}{{Cite web |title=2016 Kentucky Wildcats Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/kentucky/2016-schedule.html |access-date=July 5, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} Kentucky lost in the TaxSlayer Bowl to Georgia Tech 33–18.{{Cite web |title=TaxSlayer Bowl – Georgia Tech vs Kentucky Box Score, December 31, 2016 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2016-12-31-kentucky.html |access-date=July 18, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
The 2017 season featured ups and downs and the breakout of star running back Benny Snell.{{Cite web |last=Bratton |first=Michael Wayne |date=April 13, 2017 |title=Kentucky's breakout RB Benny Snell taking his game to another level this spring |url=https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/kentucky-football/kentuckys-breakout-rb-benny-snell-taking-game-another-level-spring/ |access-date=July 18, 2023 |website=Saturday Down South |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Chisenhall |first=Jeremy |date=December 4, 2017 |title=Benny Snell, Josh Allen make AP All-SEC teams |url=https://www.aseaofblue.com/2017/12/4/16735380/kentucky-football-benny-snell-josh-allen-ap-all-sec-teams |access-date=July 18, 2023 |website=A Sea Of Blue |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Keith |date=September 15, 2017 |title=Stoops, Wildcats embrace expected challenge at South Carolina in SEC opener |url=https://nkytribune.com/2017/09/stoops-wildcats-embrace-expected-challenge-at-south-carolina-in-sec-opener/ |access-date=July 18, 2023 |website=NKyTribune |language=en-US}} On October 28, Stoops led Kentucky to a 29–26 defeat of Tennessee.{{Cite web |title=Tennessee at Kentucky Box Score, October 28, 2017 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2017-10-28-kentucky.html |access-date=July 18, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} The victory over the Volunteers marked the first for Kentucky since 2011 and only the second time since 1984.{{Cite web |title=Football History vs University of Kentucky |url=https://utsports.com/sports/football/opponent-history/university-of-kentucky/32 |access-date=July 18, 2023 |website=University of Tennessee Athletics |language=en}} The team finished with a 7–5 record in the regular season, losing afterwards in the Music City Bowl to Northwestern 24–23.{{Cite web |title=Music City Bowl – Kentucky vs Northwestern Box Score, December 29, 2017 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2017-12-29-northwestern.html |access-date=July 18, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=2017 Kentucky Wildcats Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/kentucky/2017-schedule.html |access-date=July 5, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
The 2018 season was a historic one for the Wildcats. Paced by Snell on offense and Josh Allen on defense, they snapped a 31-year losing streak to Florida,{{Cite web |date=September 8, 2018|agency=Associated Press |title=The streak is over: Gators lose to Kentucky for the first time in 32 years |url=https://www.jacksonville.com/story/sports/college/uf-gators/2018/09/09/streak-is-over-gators-lose-to-kentucky-for-first-time-in-32-years/10807297007/ |access-date=July 18, 2023 |website=The Florida Times-Union |language=en-US}} finishing 9-3–only the fourth time in school history that the Wildcats have won at least nine games.{{Cite web |title=2018 Kentucky Wildcats Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/kentucky/2018-schedule.html |access-date=July 5, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Kentucky Wildcats College Football History, Stats, Records |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/kentucky/index.html |access-date=July 5, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} Kentucky defeated Penn State in the Citrus Bowl on January 1, 2019, giving the Wildcats their first 10-win season since 1977, and only their third in school history.{{Cite web |title=Citrus Bowl – Kentucky vs Penn State Box Score, January 1, 2019 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2019-01-01-penn-state.html |access-date=July 18, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Kentucky Wildcats College Football History, Stats, Records |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/kentucky/index.html |access-date=July 18, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} Stoops was named SEC Coach of the Year, the first time a Kentucky coach had won the award since Jerry Claiborne in 1983.{{Cite web |title=SEC Coach of the Year Winners |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/sec-coy.html |access-date=July 5, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
The 2019 season was one of overcoming adversity. After a 2–3 start in which they lost all of their quarterbacks to injury,{{Cite web |last=Marcum |first=Jason |date=August 17, 2019 |title=Nik Scalzo suffers injury in practice |url=https://www.aseaofblue.com/2019/8/17/20810145/kentucky-football-nik-scalzo-knee-injury-netflix-qb1-uk-recruiting |access-date=July 18, 2023 |website=A Sea Of Blue |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Boone |first=Kyle |date=September 8, 2019 |title=Kentucky starting quarterback Terry Wilson out for season after suffering knee injury |url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/kentucky-starting-quarterback-terry-wilson-out-for-season-after-suffering-knee-injury/ |access-date=July 18, 2023 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Hale |first=John |date=October 11, 2019 |title=What Kentucky football does with quarterbacks vs. Arkansas could sway season |url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2019/10/11/kentucky-football-quarterback-plan-mystery-vs-arkansas/3896400002/ |access-date=July 18, 2023 |website=The Courier-Journal |language=en-US}} Kentucky turned to wide receiver Lynn Bowden Jr. to take over at quarterback.{{Cite web |last=Story |first=Mark |date=October 13, 2019 |title=Its season on the brink, UK turns back to its secret weapon. Lynn Bowden made it work |url=https://www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/mark-story/article236051848.html |access-date=July 17, 2023 |website=Kentucky.com}}{{Cite web |last=Hale |first=Jon |date=October 13, 2019 |title=On Jared Lorenzen night, Lynn Bowden posts own unforgettable quarterback performance |url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2019/10/13/kentucky-football-lynn-bowden-qb-carries-cats-win-over-arkansas/3896427002/ |access-date=July 18, 2023 |website=The Courier-Journal |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Cox |first=Joe |date=November 20, 2019 |title=Kentucky football: How Lynn Bowden has reinvented himself into a Lexington legend |url=https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/kentucky-football/kentucky-football-how-lynn-bowden-has-reinvented-himself-into-a-legend/ |access-date=July 18, 2023 |website=Saturday Down South |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Tucker |first=Kyle |date=November 30, 2019 |title=Kentucky transformed Lynn Bowden, then Lynn Bowden transformed Kentucky |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1422076/2019/11/30/kentucky-transformed-lynn-bowden-then-lynn-bowden-transformed-kentucky/ |access-date=July 18, 2023 |website=The Athletic |language=en}} With a revamped offense focused on the running game, the Wildcats finished the regular season with a 7–5 record routing Louisville 45–13 on Senior Day.{{Cite web |title=Louisville at Kentucky Box Score, November 30, 2019 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2019-11-30-kentucky.html |access-date=July 18, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=2019 Kentucky Wildcats Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/kentucky/2019-schedule.html |access-date=July 5, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} Kentucky capped the season with a thrilling win over Virginia Tech in the Belk Bowl, as the Wildcats scored the winning touchdown with 15 seconds remaining for an 8–5 finish.{{Cite web |title=Belk Bowl – Virginia Tech vs Kentucky Box Score, December 31, 2019 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2019-12-31-kentucky.html |access-date=July 18, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
The 2020 season, affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, saw Kentucky play a 10-game, All-SEC regular-season schedule. The high point was a 34–7 win at Tennessee their first win in Knoxville since 1984.{{Cite web |last=Cobb |first=David |date=October 17, 2020 |title=Kentucky wins at Tennessee for first time since 1984, throttling Volunteers with stifling defense |url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/kentucky-wins-at-tennessee-for-first-time-since-1984-throttling-volunteers-with-stifling-defense/ |access-date=July 18, 2023 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}} Despite a 4–6 record, Kentucky was still invited to a bowl game, specifically the 2021 Gator Bowl against No. 24 NC State.{{Cite web |title=2020 Kentucky Wildcats Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/kentucky/2020-schedule.html |access-date=July 5, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} Stoops led Kentucky to victory in the Gator Bowl 23–21, making it three straight bowl victories for the team.{{Cite web |title=Gator Bowl – North Carolina State vs Kentucky Box Score, January 2, 2021 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2021-01-02-kentucky.html |access-date=July 18, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
The 2021 season was marked by key transfer arrivals for both sides of the ball: quarterback Will Levis and wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson on offense and linebacker Jacquez Jones on defense. The aforementioned players' impact was significant; the offense scored 33.3 points per game while the defense allowed 22.1 points per game. The improved play from both offense and defense led to a 9–3 regular-season record, including a 20–13 home win against Florida.{{Cite web |title=2021 Kentucky Wildcats Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/kentucky/2021-schedule.html |access-date=July 5, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} Stoops lead Kentucky to a 20–17 victory over Iowa in the 2022 Citrus Bowl, giving the team its second 10–3 record since 2018, second Citrus Bowl victory in four years and fourth straight bowl victory.{{Cite web |title=Citrus Bowl – Iowa vs Kentucky Box Score, January 1, 2022 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2022-01-01-kentucky.html |access-date=July 18, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} The fourth consecutive bowl victory for Kentucky marked the longest streak in school history.{{Cite web |date=January 1, 2022|agency=Associated Press |title='Time to shine': Game MVP Wan'Dale Robinson leads Kentucky to 20–17 Citrus Bowl win |url=https://www.whas11.com/article/sports/ncaa/ncaab/university-of-kentucky/kentucky-win-citrus-bowl-beat-iowa-uk-4th-straight-bowl-win-school-history-camping-world-stadium-tadium-orlando/417-7bf7249d-ef7d-43e5-901f-8ef221f5bea2 |access-date=July 18, 2023 |website=whas11.com |language=en-US}}
The 2022 season marked Stoops' 10th season as head coach, becoming the football program's longest-tenured head coach in its history. Kentucky's Week 1 37–13 victory over Miami (OH) gave Stoops his 60th victory as head coach, tying Bear Bryant for the most in program history.{{Cite magazine |date=September 4, 2022 |title=Mark Stoops Ties Bear Bryant's Record With 60th Win as Kentucky Head Coach |url=https://www.si.com/college/kentucky/football/mark-stoops-ties-bear-bryants-record-with-60th-win-kentucky-head-coach |access-date=July 18, 2023 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |language=en}} He became Kentucky's all-time winningest football coach after beating the Florida Gators on the road 26–16 in Week 2. Kentucky struggled through the season, finishing with a 7–5 record.{{Cite web |title=2022 Kentucky Wildcats Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/kentucky/2022-schedule.html |access-date=July 5, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} Kentucky was invited to the Music City Bowl, playing against Iowa for the second consecutive year. With starting quarterback Levis sitting out of the bowl game,{{Cite web |last=Hughes |first=Chris |date=December 7, 2022 |title=Levis and Rodriguez will sit out Music City Bowl |url=https://spectrumnews1.com/ky/louisville/news/2022/12/07/will-levis-will-sit-out-music-city-bowl |access-date=July 18, 2023 |website=spectrumnews1.com |language=en}} Kentucky was shut out by Iowa 21–0.{{Cite web |title=Music City Bowl – Iowa vs Kentucky Box Score, December 31, 2022 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2022-12-31-kentucky.html |access-date=July 18, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} The shutout loss ended Kentucky's streak of bowl victories at four.
Stoops signed a contract extension on November 18, 2022, that will keep him in Lexington through the 2030 season.{{Cite magazine |last=Shelton |first=Hunter |date=November 20, 2022 |title=Mark Stoops Signs Contract Extension Through 2030 Season |url=https://www.si.com/college/kentucky/football/mark-stoops-signs-contract-extension-through-2030-season |access-date=July 5, 2023 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |language=en}}
In the 2023 season, Stoops led Kentucky to a 7–6 season, this season's star was transfer running back Ray Davis who totaled up 1452 all-purpose yards and 21 total touchdowns{{Citation | title=Re'Mahn Davis College Gamelog | url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/remahn-davis-1/gamelog/2023 | access-date=6 December 2024}} for the Wildcats, however this season ended in a 38–35 loss to Clemson in the Gator Bowl.{{Cite web |title=2023 Kentucky Wildcats Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/kentucky/2023-schedule.html |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Gator Bowl – Clemson vs Kentucky Box Score, December 29, 2023 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2023-12-29-clemson.html |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
In the 2024 season, Stoops led Kentucky to a 4–8 season, ending in a 41–14 loss to Louisville in the Governors Cup.{{Cite web |title=2024 Kentucky Wildcats Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/kentucky/2024-schedule.html |access-date=2025-02-01 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
Personal life
Stoops is the younger brother of former Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops, former Arizona head coach and current Kentucky assistant Mike Stoops, and Ron Jr., the oldest of the brothers, who was an assistant coach at Youngstown State. Stoops and his wife Chantel have two sons, Will and Zach.{{cite news |last1=Patton |first1=Janet |title=UK football coach Mark Stoops buys Beaumont house for $1.45 million|url=https://www.kentucky.com/news/business/article44405040.html |accessdate=November 28, 2018 |publisher=Lexington Herald-Leader |date=February 21, 2013 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128173925/https://www.kentucky.com/news/business/article44405040.html |archivedate=November 28, 2018}} On January 4, 2021, the couple announced that they will be divorcing.{{cite news |last1=Moore |first1=Josh |title=University of Kentucky football coach Mark Stoops and wife Chantel divorcing |url=https://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-football/article248263455.html |access-date=January 5, 2021 |publisher=Lexington Herald-Leader |date=January 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105070154/https://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-football/article248263455.html |archive-date=January 5, 2021}}
Head coaching record
{{CFB Yearly Record Start | type = coach | team = | conf = | bowl = | poll = both }}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead
| name = Kentucky Wildcats
| conf = Southeastern Conference
| startyear = 2013
| endyear =
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| year = 2013
| name = Kentucky
| overall = 2–10
| conference = 0–8
| confstanding = 7th (Eastern)
| ranking =
| ranking2 =
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| year = 2014
| name = Kentucky
| overall = 5–7
| conference = 2–6
| confstanding = 6th (Eastern)
| ranking =
| ranking2 =
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| year = 2015
| name = Kentucky
| overall = 5–7
| conference = 2–6
| confstanding = T–4th (Eastern)
| ranking =
| ranking2 =
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| year = 2016
| name = Kentucky
| overall = 7–6
| conference = 4–4
| confstanding = T–2nd (Eastern)
| bowlname = TaxSlayer
| bowloutcome = L
| ranking =
| ranking2 =
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| year = 2017
| name = Kentucky
| overall = 7–6
| conference = 4–4
| confstanding = T–3rd (Eastern)
| bowlname = Music City
| bowloutcome = L
| ranking =
| ranking2 =
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| year = 2018
| name = Kentucky
| overall = 10–3
| conference = 5–3
| confstanding = T–2nd (Eastern)
| bowlname = Citrus
| bowloutcome = W
| ranking = 11
| ranking2 = 12
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| year = 2019
| name = Kentucky
| overall = 8–5
| conference = 3–5
| confstanding = T–4th (Eastern)
| bowlname = Belk
| bowloutcome = W
| ranking =
| ranking2 =
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| year = 2020
| name = Kentucky
| overall = 5–6
| conference = 4–6
| confstanding = 4th (Eastern)
| bowlname = Gator
| bowloutcome = W
| ranking =
| ranking2 =
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| year = 2021
| name = Kentucky
| conference = 5–3
| confstanding = 2nd (Eastern)
| bowlname = Citrus
| bowloutcome = W
| ranking = 15
| ranking2 = 18
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| year = 2022
| name = Kentucky
| overall = 7–6
| conference = 3–5
| confstanding = T–4th (Eastern)
| bowlname = Music City
| bowloutcome = L
| ranking =
| ranking2 =
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| year = 2023
| name = Kentucky
| overall = 7–6
| conference = 3–5
| confstanding = T–4th (Eastern)
| bowlname = Gator
| bowloutcome = L
| ranking =
| ranking2 =
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| year = 2024
| name = Kentucky
| overall = 4–8
| conference = 1–7
| confstanding = 15th
| bowlname =
| bowloutcome =
| ranking =
| ranking2 =
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal
| name = Kentucky
| overall = 67–73
| confrecord = 28–62
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record End
| overall = 77–73
| HCWins = 77
| HCLosses = 73
| Overall Record = 77–73* ({{winpct|77|73}})
| bowls = no
| poll = two
| polltype =
| legend = no
}}
- Team was required to vacate 10 wins due to playing ineligible players
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/mark-stoops-1.html Coaching statistics] at Sports Reference
- [https://ukathletics.com/sports/football/roster/coach/mark-stoops/ Kentucky Wildcats bio]
{{Southeastern Conference football coach navbox}}
{{Kentucky Wildcats football coach navbox}}
{{2001 Miami Hurricanes football navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Stoops, Mark}}
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