**Kentucky Wildcats Part Ways with Head Coach Mark Stoops After Disappointing Season**
The Kentucky Wildcats have officially parted ways with head football coach Mark Stoops following a challenging season, as reported by multiple sources. The decision comes on the heels of a disheartening 41-0 defeat to the Louisville Cardinals, marking the end of a regular season that saw the Wildcats miss out on bowl eligibility for the second consecutive year.
Despite the loss, Stoops expressed his commitment to the program after the game, stating, “Like, I’m going to walk away? Are you kidding me? … Zero percent chance I walk.” He emphasized that while he intended to remain as head coach, he acknowledged that the final decision was beyond his control.
In the 2024 season, the Wildcats finished with a record of 4-8, followed by a 5-7 record in 2025. Their struggles included a significant loss to Vanderbilt prior to the defeat against Louisville, which ultimately sealed Stoops’ fate.
Stoops took the helm of the Kentucky football program before the 2013 season. His first year was challenging, with the team finishing at 2-10. However, he gradually improved the program, leading the Wildcats to a historic 10-win season in 2018, the first time the team achieved this milestone since 1977. Over his tenure, Stoops compiled an overall record of 82-80, making him the winningest coach in Kentucky’s history.
As part of his dismissal, Stoops is entitled to a $36 million buyout, which is due within 60 days. The search for his successor is now underway, as Kentucky joins several other SEC programs that have recently made coaching changes. Notable moves include Lane Kiffin’s appointment at LSU and the hiring of new coaches at Ole Miss, Auburn, Arkansas, and Florida.
As the Wildcats look to the future, the focus will be on finding a new leader who can restore the program to its former glory.
**FAQ**
*What led to Mark Stoops’ dismissal as head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats?*
Mark Stoops was dismissed following a disappointing season that included a 41-0 loss to Louisville and consecutive years without bowl eligibility, culminating in a 4-8 record in 2024 and a 5-7 record in 2025.
