Kentucky fires football coach Mark Stoops after 13 seasons

Dec. 1 (UPI) -- The University of Kentucky fired football coach Mark Stoops, ending his 13-year tenure, Wildcats athletic director Mitch Barnhart announced Monday.

Stoops' Wildcats went 5-7 in 2025, failing to secure bowl eligibility for the second consecutive season. He went 72-80 over his 13 years with the Wildcats, including a run of four-consecutive bowl victories.

"I have informed coach Mark Stoops that we have decided to go in a new direction at head coach," Barnhart wrote in a statement. "I want to thank Mark for his dedication and leadership over the past 13 years, and as importantly, the friendship that is marked by walking these journeys together.

"His tenure transformed the program and reset expectations. His time here was filled with memorable victories, a historic run of consecutive bowl appearances, and a commitment to developing young men both on and off the field."

The Wildcats hired Stoops in 2013 to replace former coach Joke Phillips, who was fired after a 13-24 mark through three seasons. Stoops went 2-10 in his first season. The Wildcats went 5-7 in 2014 and 2015. They posted matching 7-6 campaigns in 2016 and 2017 to start a run of eight consecutive bowl-eligible regular seasons.

The Wildcats went 10-3 in 2018 and 2021. They won the Belk Bowl, Gator Bowl and two Citrus Bowl crowns from 2018 through 2021. Stoops previously set a program record for the most 10-win seasons (two), but the Wildcats vacated their victories from 2021 due to NCAA violations, changing his official record from 82-80 to 72-80.

Bear Bryant, who led the Wildcats to an 11-1 record in 1950, is the only coach to led the program to more single-season victories. Stoops leave the school as the winningest coach in program history, just ahead of Bryant, who won 60 games.

"We move forward committed to build upon the strong foundation that has been laid and to pursue excellence relentlessly," Barnhart wrote.

"We have begun a national. search to identify the next leader of Kentucky football, someone with proven coaching results and a vision for success for Kentucky."