Kentucky coach Mark Stoops denied rumors that he has discussed a possible buyout with school officials following the Wildcats’ 35-14 loss to No. 10 Georgia on Saturday.
“There’s zero chance I’m walking away," Stoops told reporters. "There’s no quit in me, so that’s unequivocally 100 percent false. Anyone who tells you that is lying.”
The statement came days after a Lexington radio station reported that Stoops had approached university officials to discuss a potential buyout. The 13th-year coach, who is the longest-tenured in the SEC, made it clear he has no plans to step down.
“I don’t want to address that crap no more,” Stoops said.
Mark Stoops on the report that met with UK administration last season to discuss his buyout.
— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) October 4, 2025
“I hate to give anything like that legs. I told you last year, you guys can write and say what you want about me, there’s zero chance I’m walking away. Zero. There’s no quit in me.… pic.twitter.com/GUC4FywCb7
Kentucky has dropped eight straight SEC games dating back to last season and sits at 2-3 overall, 0-3 in conference play. The Wildcats went 1-7 in the SEC a year ago and have now lost 16 straight meetings with Georgia, last beating the Bulldogs in 2009.
Despite the struggles, Stoops expressed confidence he can guide the program back to competitiveness. “It’s hard. I’ve been there, done that. You gotta have the right pieces in place. We’re missing a few, but we’ll keep on working.”
Stoops, 58, is earning $8.6 million annually under a contract extension signed in November 2022 that runs through June 2031. If Kentucky were to fire him, the school would owe 75 percent of his remaining salary.
The Wildcats enter a bye week before hosting No. 9 Texas on Oct. 18, hoping to regroup amid growing frustration among fans.
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