Amid the latest coaching carousel and swirling speculation around college football’s evolving landscape, Kentucky coach Mark Stoops made his intentions clear Saturday. He plans to remain in Lexington and oversee a rebound.
Despite a second straight losing season capped by a 41-0 blowout loss to in-state rival Louisville, Stoops was asked about his level of commitment, which prompted him to push back.
“Like, I’m going to walk away? Are you kidding me,” Stoops told reporters via ESPN. “Zero-percent chance I walk.”
Stoops, Kentucky's all-time winningest coach, finished his 13th season with the Wildcats at 5-7, which is his seventh sub.500 year. He owns a 72-80 record at Kentucky.
Stoops is earning $9 million this year and is signed through June 2031. He's just outside the top ten nationally, according to USA TODAY Sports. If fired, he would be owed approximately $37.6 million in a buyout.
“I’m going to be here as far as I’m concerned,” Stoops said. “Zero means zero.”
Earlier this season, he called a report of buyout discussions with administrators “100-percent false” and added, “There’s no quit in me.”
Kentucky opens the 2026 season against Youngstown State.
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