Mark Stoops says 'zero chance' he steps down from Kentucky

Field Level Media|published: Sat 4th October, 20:17 2025

Oct 4, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops shown on the sidelines during the game against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Mark Stoops isn't going anywhere.

The Kentucky head coach denied a report that he told athletic director Mitch Barnhart that he wanted to leave the program after a loss in November last season to Tennessee.

"There's zero chance I'm walking away. Zero," Stoops told reporters after Saturday's 35-14 road loss to Georgia to fall to 2-3 overall and 0-3 in the Southeastern Conference.

He added: "That's unequivocally 100 percent false, and anyone who says anything else is lying."

Kentucky has been roughed up in SEC play of late, falling to 1-10 in its last 11 league games after the team's blowout defeat to the Bulldogs. The Wildcats have been outscored 312-163 in that span.

They're also 20-23 overall since a 10-3 campaign in 2021. Kentucky is 69-76 and made eight consecutive bowl appearances from 2016-23 under Stoops, who's the SEC's longest-tenured head coach after beginning his tenure with the program in 2013. The team went 4-8 last season, 1-7 in the SEC.

If the Wildcats were to fire Stoops, they'd owe him 75 percent of his remaining salary. He currently has a $38-million buyout.

Kentucky won't catch a break after its bye, as it has back-to-back games against ranked Texas and Tennessee.

--Field Level Media