### Kentucky Football's Coaching Change: Mark Stoops Fired After 13 Seasons Mark Stoops, the longest-tenured coach in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), has been fired by the University of Kentucky after a disappointing 2025 season that saw the Wildcats finish with a 5-7 record. This decision comes after back-to-back losing seasons, prompting athletic director Mitch Barnhart to announce a new direction for the program. Stoops, who has been with the Wildcats since 2013, leaves behind a legacy as the winningest coach in Kentucky history, with an overall record of 82-80, including notable achievements such as leading the team to four bowl victories and two 10-win seasons [https://apnews.com/article/kentucky-coach-mark-stoops-fired-157b51871da13b70898a3438976e18a7][https://www.sportingnews.com/ca/ncaa-football/news/kentucky-reportedly-fires-head-coach-mark-stoops/ec1333a9459642efc572efbf]. ### Breakdown of the Coaching Change 1. **Reasons for Firing**: - Back-to-back losing seasons (4-8 in 2024, 5-7 in 2025) [https://www.whas11.com/article/news/local/university-of-kentucky-football-coach-mark-stoops/417-9102035e-cc51-4960-92e0-b94c355d2bd9]. - Poor performance in recent games, including a significant loss to rival Louisville [https://www.thescore.com/ncaaf/news/3415209/kentucky-fires-coach-stoops-after-13-seasons]. - Declining fan support and impatience with the team's performance [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/mark_stoops_13_year_run_ends_as_kentucky_seeks_new_direction/s1_17702_43143319]. 2. **Stoops' Achievements**: - Winningest coach in Kentucky history with an 82-80 record [https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/sec/2025/11/30/mark-stoops-kentucky-football-sec/87545354007]. - Led the Wildcats to four bowl games and two 10-win seasons [https://www.espn.ph/college-football/story/_/id/47160242/kentucky-college-football-fires-mark-stoops-candidates-transfers-recruits]. - Notable for transforming the program and resetting expectations during his tenure [https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-football/kentucky-fires-mark-stoops-secs-longest-tenured-coach-his-13th-season]. 3. **Financial Implications**: - Stoops is owed approximately $37.7 million as part of his buyout, which is 75% of his remaining salary [https://www.thescore.com/ncaaf/news/3415209/report-kentucky-expected-to-fire-coach-stoops]. - His contract was set to run through June 2031, with an annual salary of $9 million [https://www.clutchpoints.com/ncaa-football/kentucky-football-news-fires-mark-stoops-after-5-7-season]. ### Summary of Findings **Mark Stoops' firing marks a significant shift for Kentucky football**, as the program seeks to rebuild after a period of underperformance. 1. **Coaching Tenure**: Stoops served 13 seasons, becoming the winningest coach in Kentucky history. 2. **Performance Decline**: The Wildcats' recent seasons have been disappointing, leading to the decision for a coaching change. 3. **Financial Consequences**: The university faces a substantial buyout, reflecting the financial commitment made to Stoops. In conclusion, while Stoops' tenure was marked by notable successes, the recent decline in performance ultimately led to his dismissal as Kentucky aims to revitalize its football program [https://www.lex18.com/news/covering-kentucky/uk-students-react-to-coach-stoops-firing][https://greensboro.com/sports/college/article_65e4404a-a793-58d5-b54b-85e88e698283.html].