The status of Mark Stoops has been a hot topic as Kentucky football free falls. Regardless of which side you are on, change is unlikely at the helm of the program. 

Kentucky had all the momentum in the world going into the 2022 season, where it landed in the AP Top 10 for the first time since 2007, but that season seemingly ended the upward trajectory where it stood. 

The Wildcats finished 7-6 in 2022 before finishing 7-5 in 2023. Both seasons ended in bowl game losses to Iowa and Clemson respectively.

In November 2023, it appeared that Stoops was heading west to Texas A&M as his name was heavily linked to the opening fresh off of a 38-31 upset over No. 10 Louisville to end the regular season.

The Aggies were looking to replace Jimbo Fisher, who they gave the largest buyout in college sports history to at $77.6 million.

Kentucky Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart could land Kentucky at second on that list if he decides Stoops’ time with Kentucky is over after this season or within the next few years. 

The work during Stoops’ tenure is reflected in his contract as he is currently the No. 9 highest paid coach in the country at $9 million a year. 

Not only is it a hefty amount annually, the contract was extended until 2031 after he stayed in Lexington in the November of 2023. 

After an eventful winter gave way to another fall in the Bluegrass, the heat really turned up on the head coach in 2024 after the Wildcats finished a dreadful 1-7 in conference play and just 4-8 on the year.

That record was a fumble recovered by the defense away from having a zero in the conference win column. 

In the closing moments of Kentucky’s upset against then No. 6 Ole Miss, Gavin Wimsatt fumbled the ball at the goal line, and it happened to go into the hands of Josh Kattus for the game-winning touchdown.

So far in 2025, things have continued to be shaky at best for Kentucky, who has two conference games under its belt, and one was 30-23 loss at home against those same Rebels it upset a year ago. 

The other was an embarrassing 35-13 loss on the road to South Carolina, and it looks like Kentucky is on its way another dreadful conference season.

This 2025 SEC opening two games is a microcosm of the program over the last few years as Ole Miss might’ve won the game, but Kentucky defeated itself before the Rebels even had a chance to. 

When it comes to the Gamecocks, turnovers, mistakes and shaky o-line play cost Kentucky again, which again has become an all too familiar tune.

The shortcomings against Ole Miss made it eight straight losses in SEC play at home for Kentucky, as its last home conference win came against Florida in 2023. 

The loss to South Carolina will mark a full calendar year since Kentucky has won a conference game.

Furthermore, Kentucky is 4-14 in conference play since 2022, which is tied for the 14th worst record in the SEC over the past two seasons. 

What is alarming is that Stoops is not having trouble recruiting as Kentucky is finding itself in the top 10 recruiting classes season after season, but the results have not been there. 

While Kentucky is not known for being in the mix for national championships, Stoops has elevated the program to new heights and new expectations where mediocrity has become unacceptable. 

The lack of success has created debate on if Stoops’ time is up in Lexington, but all the debating could really just be wasted words and anguish.

This is due to the fact that Kentucky would owe Stoops around $40 million per his contract if they were to send him packing at the end of this season. 

That number is also not going to shrink anytime soon as it goes down a measly $500,000 each season per Stoops’ contract. 

The bottom line is that if the tailspin continues, don’t expect there to be a change at head coach because unless Stoops leaves on his own or Barnhart makes history, it’ll be the same man you’ve seen emerge from the tunnel for the past 13 seasons still leading Kentucky football.