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Mark Stoops
Mark Stoops
from Wikipedia

Mark Thomas Stoops (born July 9, 1967) is an American college football coach and former player. He is the head football coach for the University of Kentucky, a position he has held since 2013. Stoops is the all-time winningest head coach in the history of the Kentucky Wildcats football program with an overall record of 77–73 in 12 seasons, including a losing record of 36–62 in the SEC. He is also the longest-tenured current SEC football coach.

Key Information

Early life

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Stoops, one of six children born to Ron and Evelyn "Dee Dee" Stoops, attended Cardinal Mooney High School in Youngstown, Ohio, where his father was an assistant coach and defensive coordinator.[2][3] He is the brother of former Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops and former Arizona head coach Mike Stoops.

After graduating from high school, Stoops played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes from 1986 to 1988.[4]

Coaching career

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Stoops was a graduate assistant coach at Iowa from 1989 to 1991.[5] He later became the athletic director and defensive backs coach at Nordonia High School in Macedonia, Ohio (1992–1995).[6][7]

In 1996, Stoops was the defensive backs coach for South Florida.[8][9]

Stoops served as the defensive backs coach for the University of Wyoming Cowboys from 1997 to 1999.[10]

At Wyoming, Stoops served under head coach Dana Dimel. When Dimel was hired at the University of Houston, he took Stoops with him to join the Cougars as co-defensive coordinator (along with Dick Bumpas) and safeties coach in 2000.[11]

Miami (FL)

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In February 2001, Stoops was named the defensive backs coach for the University of Miami Hurricanes, replacing Chuck Pagano, who left to go to the Cleveland Browns.[12][13]

Arizona

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Mark's brother, Mike, was hired as the head coach of the Arizona Wildcats for the 2004 season. Mike later hired Mark as part of his staff.[14][15]

Florida State

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On December 11, 2009, Stoops accepted the job as defensive coordinator at Florida State University.[16]

While at Florida State, Stoops played against his brother Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops in 2011.[17]

Kentucky

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On November 27, 2012, Stoops was hired as the new head coach of the University of Kentucky football program, replacing former head coach Joker Phillips, who was fired after a 2–10 season.[18][19] In Stoops' first season as the Kentucky Head coach, he went 2–10, followed by back to back 5–7 seasons.[20][21][22]

In 2014, Stoops signed a contract extension that would last until 2019.[23]

After an 0–2 start to the 2016 season, Stoops led the Wildcats to a 7–6 finish after that start and defeated their in-state rival, the eleventh-ranked Louisville Cardinals 41–38.[24][25] Kentucky lost in the TaxSlayer Bowl to Georgia Tech 33–18.[26]

The 2017 season featured ups and downs and the breakout of star running back Benny Snell.[27][28][29] On October 28, Stoops led Kentucky to a 29–26 defeat of Tennessee.[30] The victory over the Volunteers marked the first for Kentucky since 2011 and only the second time since 1984.[31] The team finished with a 7–5 record in the regular season, losing afterwards in the Music City Bowl to Northwestern 24–23.[32][33]

The 2018 season was a historic one for the Wildcats. Paced by Snell on offense and Josh Allen on defense, they snapped a 31-year losing streak to Florida,[34] finishing 9-3–only the fourth time in school history that the Wildcats have won at least nine games.[35][36] Kentucky defeated Penn State in the Citrus Bowl on January 1, 2019, giving the Wildcats their first 10-win season since 1977, and only their third in school history.[37][38] Stoops was named SEC Coach of the Year, the first time a Kentucky coach had won the award since Jerry Claiborne in 1983.[39]

The 2019 season was one of overcoming adversity. After a 2–3 start in which they lost all of their quarterbacks to injury,[40][41][42] Kentucky turned to wide receiver Lynn Bowden Jr. to take over at quarterback.[43][44][45][46] With a revamped offense focused on the running game, the Wildcats finished the regular season with a 7–5 record routing Louisville 45–13 on Senior Day.[47][48] Kentucky capped the season with a thrilling win over Virginia Tech in the Belk Bowl, as the Wildcats scored the winning touchdown with 15 seconds remaining for an 8–5 finish.[49]

The 2020 season, affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, saw Kentucky play a 10-game, All-SEC regular-season schedule. The high point was a 34–7 win at Tennessee their first win in Knoxville since 1984.[50] Despite a 4–6 record, Kentucky was still invited to a bowl game, specifically the 2021 Gator Bowl against No. 24 NC State.[51] Stoops led Kentucky to victory in the Gator Bowl 23–21, making it three straight bowl victories for the team.[52]

The 2021 season was marked by key transfer arrivals for both sides of the ball: quarterback Will Levis and wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson on offense and linebacker Jacquez Jones on defense. The aforementioned players' impact was significant; the offense scored 33.3 points per game while the defense allowed 22.1 points per game. The improved play from both offense and defense led to a 9–3 regular-season record, including a 20–13 home win against Florida.[53] Stoops lead Kentucky to a 20–17 victory over Iowa in the 2022 Citrus Bowl, giving the team its second 10–3 record since 2018, second Citrus Bowl victory in four years and fourth straight bowl victory.[54] The fourth consecutive bowl victory for Kentucky marked the longest streak in school history.[55]

The 2022 season marked Stoops' 10th season as head coach, becoming the football program's longest-tenured head coach in its history. Kentucky's Week 1 37–13 victory over Miami (OH) gave Stoops his 60th victory as head coach, tying Bear Bryant for the most in program history.[56] He became Kentucky's all-time winningest football coach after beating the Florida Gators on the road 26–16 in Week 2. Kentucky struggled through the season, finishing with a 7–5 record.[57] Kentucky was invited to the Music City Bowl, playing against Iowa for the second consecutive year. With starting quarterback Levis sitting out of the bowl game,[58] Kentucky was shut out by Iowa 21–0.[59] The shutout loss ended Kentucky's streak of bowl victories at four.

Stoops signed a contract extension on November 18, 2022, that will keep him in Lexington through the 2030 season.[60]

In the 2023 season, Stoops led Kentucky to a 7–6 season, this season's star was transfer running back Ray Davis who totaled up 1452 all-purpose yards and 21 total touchdowns[61] for the Wildcats, however this season ended in a 38–35 loss to Clemson in the Gator Bowl.[62][63]

In the 2024 season, Stoops led Kentucky to a 4–8 season, ending in a 41–14 loss to Louisville in the Governors Cup.[64]

Personal life

[edit]

Stoops is the younger brother of former Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops, former Arizona head coach and current Kentucky assistant Mike Stoops, and Ron Jr., the oldest of the brothers, who was an assistant coach at Youngstown State. Stoops and his wife Chantel have two sons, Will and Zach.[65] On January 4, 2021, the couple announced that they will be divorcing.[66]

Head coaching record

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Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs Coaches# AP°
Kentucky Wildcats (Southeastern Conference) (2013–present)
2013 Kentucky 2–10 0–8 7th (Eastern)
2014 Kentucky 5–7 2–6 6th (Eastern)
2015 Kentucky 5–7 2–6 T–4th (Eastern)
2016 Kentucky 7–6 4–4 T–2nd (Eastern) L TaxSlayer
2017 Kentucky 7–6 4–4 T–3rd (Eastern) L Music City
2018 Kentucky 10–3 5–3 T–2nd (Eastern) W Citrus 11 12
2019 Kentucky 8–5 3–5 T–4th (Eastern) W Belk
2020 Kentucky 5–6 4–6 4th (Eastern) W Gator
2021 Kentucky 10–3*[67] 5–3* 2nd (Eastern) W Citrus* 15 18
2022 Kentucky 7–6 3–5 T–4th (Eastern) L Music City
2023 Kentucky 7–6 3–5 T–4th (Eastern) L Gator
2024 Kentucky 4–8 1–7 15th
2025 Kentucky 5–5 2–5
Kentucky: 72–78 30–67
Total: 72–78
  • Team was required to vacate 10 wins due to playing ineligible players

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Mark Thomas Stoops (born July 9, 1967) is an American coach and former player, currently serving as the of the Wildcats football team since 2013. He holds the distinction of being the winningest in Kentucky program history with an overall record of 82–78 through thirteen seasons (as of November 19, 2025), including a .512 , and is the longest-tenured active coach in the (SEC). Stoops has transformed a historically underachieving program into a consistent bowl contender, achieving eight postseason appearances with a 4–4 bowl record and leading the Wildcats to multiple double-digit win seasons, including notable upsets over ranked opponents. Born in , Stoops grew up in a football-centric family as the youngest of six children to Ron Sr. and Evelyn "Dee" Stoops; his father served as at Cardinal Mooney High School, while his brothers—Bob, Mike, and Ron Jr.—all pursued successful coaching careers, with winning a national championship at and Mike holding head coaching positions at and at under Mark. Stoops excelled in football at Cardinal Mooney High School before walking on as a at the , where he lettered for three seasons from 1986 to 1988 and earned his degree in 1989. Stoops launched his coaching career as a at from 1989 to 1991, then spent four years as defensive backs coach at the (1992–1995). He continued in the same role at the (1996–1999) and the (2000–2003), where his secondary units ranked No. 1 nationally in pass efficiency defense in both 2002 and 2003 and contributed to Miami's 2001 BCS National Championship. From 2004 to 2009, Stoops served as and defensive backs coach at the under his brother Mike, guiding the Wildcats to two bowl appearances despite limited resources. In 2010, he joined as , dramatically improving the Seminoles' defense from 108th in total defense nationally to top-15 rankings by 2012, which helped secure an ACC Championship. Stoops was hired as Kentucky's on November 27, 2012, inheriting a team that had won just two SEC games in the prior three seasons combined. Under his leadership, the Wildcats have secured school records for total wins (82), SEC wins (36 as of November 19, 2025), and victories over ranked teams (14 as of October 2025), including a landmark 2024 win at No. 6 Ole Miss. He surpassed legendary coach Paul "Bear" Bryant's program win total in 2022, and his defenses have consistently ranked among the SEC's best, fostering a culture of resilience in a talent-challenged roster. Stoops, who signed a extension through 2030, remains committed to building through recruiting and the transfer portal amid the evolving landscape.

Early life and playing career

Family background

Mark Stoops was born on July 9, 1967, in , the youngest of six children to Ron Stoops Sr. and Evelyn "Dee" Stoops. The Stoops household was large and intensely competitive, centered around football in a blue-collar environment that emphasized toughness, hard work, and family bonding through roughhousing and shared activities. His three older brothers—Ron Jr., Mike, and Bob—grew up alongside him in this football-obsessed home, later pursuing coaching careers that reflected the family's deep passion for the sport. Ron Stoops Sr., the family's sole provider, worked multiple jobs while serving as at Cardinal Mooney High School, where he coached with a focus on discipline and fundamentals that permeated family life. Evelyn Stoops supported her children's athletic endeavors with encouragement and presence, fostering an environment where football was both a recreation and a core value. Youngstown's storied football culture, rooted in the region's industrial grit, provided early immersion for Stoops through neighborhood games and local youth leagues, shaping his foundational connection to the game. The brothers' eventual coaching achievements, including national titles and program turnarounds, drew inspiration from this upbringing but emerged later in life.

College playing career at Iowa

Mark Stoops was recruited out of Cardinal Mooney High School in , where he played as both quarterback and defensive back, following a family tradition in football established by his older brothers Bob and Mike. The family's football legacy served as a key motivator for Stoops to attend the , where he enrolled in 1986 and played . As a Hawkeye under , Stoops earned three varsity letters as a safety from 1986 to 1988, appearing in multiple games, including Big Ten contests during Iowa's 1987 campaign (10-3 record, victory) and 1988 season (6-4-3 record, ). He became a starter at strong safety in 1988 but suffered a season-ending injury prior to a matchup against , limiting his overall statistical output to modest totals, including two interceptions across his career while contributing to the team's defensive efforts in conference play. Stoops pursued academics alongside his athletic commitments, earning a from Iowa in 1990. His college experience at Iowa, marked by Fry's emphasis on discipline and teamwork, fostered an early coaching mindset that Stoops later credited for shaping his approach to the game.

Coaching career

Early coaching positions

After graduating from the University of Iowa in 1989, Mark Stoops began his coaching career as a with the Hawkeyes from 1990 to 1991 under head coach . During this period, he contributed to a successful program that captured the 1990 title and advanced to the Rose Bowl, followed by a appearance in 1991. From 1992 to 1995, Stoops served as defensive backs coach and athletic director at Nordonia High School in , where he worked with varsity players to develop foundational skills in coverage and technique. This high school role provided him with hands-on experience in player development and program administration at a local level, helping to build his coaching resume during the early stages of his career. Stoops returned to the collegiate level in 1996 as defensive backs coach at the , assisting in the startup of the Bulls' football program ahead of its inaugural season in 1997. His efforts focused on establishing defensive structures for a nascent team transitioning to Division I competition. He then joined the as defensive backs coach from 1997 to 1999, emphasizing secondary techniques and player development within the (WAC). Under his guidance, the Cowboys achieved three consecutive winning seasons, including a standout 1997 campaign that set a school record with 24 interceptions. In 2000, Stoops served as co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach at the under head coach . These early positions allowed Stoops to gain diverse experience across , high school, and college levels, honing his expertise in defensive fundamentals—particularly in the secondary—while drawing on the defensive principles he learned as a player at .

Assistant roles at major programs

Mark Stoops began his tenure at major Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) programs as the defensive backs coach for the from 2001 to 2003 under head coach . In his first season, Stoops contributed to an elite secondary that helped Miami secure the 2001 with a 37-14 victory over Nebraska in the Rose Bowl. The Hurricanes' defense ranked first nationally in pass efficiency defense that year, allowing just 84.89 opponent rating while intercepting 20 passes, showcasing Stoops' focus on disciplined coverage and turnover creation. Stoops advanced to defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at the from 2004 to 2009, working under his brother , the head coach. He implemented an aggressive 4-3 defensive scheme emphasizing pressure on the and stout run defense, which led to notable improvements in later seasons. In 2008, Arizona achieved a 9-4 record, including a 31-21 victory over BYU, and ranked 19th nationally in total defense (318.8 yards per game allowed). The following year, the Wildcats finished 8-5 with another top-25 total defense ranking (25th, 336.3 yards per game) and secured a berth, though they lost 33-0 to . From 2010 to 2012, Stoops served as at Florida State under Jimbo Fisher, transforming a struggling unit into one of the nation's best. Inheriting a defense ranked 108th in total defense (410.5 yards per game) in 2009, Stoops engineered rapid improvement; in 2010, Florida State jumped to 42nd (351.3 yards per game) while allowing a league-low 19.6 points per game, but lost the ACC Championship 33-44 in overtime to , followed by an triumph against Stanford (12-7). The 2011 defense ranked fourth in S&P+ defensive efficiency, and by 2012, it was second nationally in total defense (249.4 yards per game) and scoring defense (15.1 points per game), leading to an ACC title (31-28 over ) and appearance. Stoops' schemes laid the groundwork for Florida State's 2013 BCS National Championship, even after his departure. He mentored standout players like Xavier Rhodes, a 2012 first-team All-American and semifinalist who recorded 50 tackles and three interceptions that season. Throughout these roles, Stoops' defensive philosophy centered on aggressive man coverage, creative blitz packages to disrupt passing attacks, and rigorous player development to maximize athletic talent. His units consistently ranked among the top in the nation for interceptions and fewest passing yards allowed, reflecting a proactive approach that pressured quarterbacks into mistakes. This track record of building dominant defenses at high-profile programs, including multiple conference titles and bowl victories, positioned Stoops for head coaching opportunities, culminating in his 2012 hire at .

Head coaching record at Kentucky

Mark Stoops was hired as head football coach at the on November 27, 2012, leaving his role as defensive coordinator at to replace following a 2-10 season. He signed an initial five-year contract running through December 31, 2017, with a base salary of approximately $2.35 million annually. His arrival marked a significant shift, bringing defensive expertise from his time at and earlier stops to a program that had won just 12 games over the previous three seasons. Stoops' tenure began with substantial challenges, as the Wildcats posted a 2-10 record in 2013, failing to secure a single (SEC) victory amid roster turnover and rebuilding efforts. Progress was gradual, with back-to-back 5-7 finishes in 2014 and 2015, but the program showed signs of stabilization through improved recruiting and defensive play. By 2016, Kentucky achieved its first under Stoops with a 7-6 mark, capped by a 24-21 victory over in the TaxSlayer Bowl. The following year brought another 7-6 record and a 23-24 loss to Northwestern in the Music City Bowl. The 2018 season represented a breakthrough, with Kentucky earning its first 10-win campaign (10-3) since 1977, including a 27-24 upset win over Penn State in the and a No. 11 final ranking—the highest in program history. This success was built on Stoops' defensive schemes, which limited opponents to under 20 points per game in SEC play. The Wildcats followed with an 8-5 record in 2019, securing another appearance and a 20-17 victory over (later adjusted due to NCAA violations). The 2020 season, shortened by , ended at 5-6 with a win over No. 25 North Carolina State (23-21). In 2021, Kentucky's wins were vacated in August 2024 due to NCAA infractions involving impermissible employment benefits to football staff, adjusting the record to 0-3 overall (0-3 SEC). Subsequent seasons saw mixed results: 7-6 in 2022 with a 0-21 loss to in the Music City Bowl; 7-6 in 2023 with a 35-38 defeat to Clemson in the ; and a disappointing 4-8 finish in 2024, snapping an eight-year bowl streak (2016-2023). Stoops' adjusted career record at through 12 full seasons stands at 67-73 (.479 ), making him the program's all-time winningest coach despite the vacancy. His bowl record is 4-4 across eight appearances, with notable development of NFL talent, including quarterback (2019 first-round draft pick by the ) and multiple defensive standouts like and . Stoops has prioritized recruiting, assembling consistent top-50 national classes (per composite rankings) with a focus on in-state talent and the transfer portal to bolster depth, particularly on defense. However, persistent struggles against elite SEC opponents—holding a 34-54 record in conference play through 2024—have highlighted limitations in offensive consistency and road performance against top-25 teams. As of November 19, 2025, in his 13th season, is 5-5 overall (2-5 SEC). Stoops remains the architect of 's most stable era in decades, transforming a perennial SEC underachiever into a consistent contender and holder of program records for total wins (72 through 2025), home victories (47), and SEC triumphs (31).
SeasonOverall RecordSEC RecordBowl Game/Result
20132–100–8
20145–72–6
20155–72–6
20167–64–4TaxSlayer Bowl: W 24–21 (vs. )
20177–63–5: L 23–24 (vs. Northwestern)
201810–35–3: W 27–24 (vs. No. 11 Penn State)
20198–54–4Belk Bowl: W 20–17 (vs. )^
20205–64–4: W 23–21 (vs. No. 25 NC State)
20210–3*0–3*: Vacated (vs. )
20227–63–5: L 0–21 (vs. )
20237–63–5: L 35–38 (vs. Clemson)
20244–81–7
20255–5**2–5**
*2021 wins vacated by NCAA; adjusted record 0–3 overall (0–3 SEC).
^2019 Belk Bowl result adjusted from original due to related violations.
**As of November 19, 2025. Overall career: 72–78 (.480).

Personal life and legacy

Family and personal details

Mark Stoops married Chantel Stoops in 2002 while serving as a defensive backs coach at the University of Miami. The couple had two sons together: Will, born around 2007, and Zack, born around 2010. Will has participated in youth football, including a notable touchdown catch during a game his father attended in 2020. Zack frequently supports his family at University of Kentucky football events from the sidelines. Stoops and Chantel announced their divorce in January 2021, after which the sons primarily reside with their mother in Lexington. Since taking the head coaching position at the University of Kentucky in 2013, Stoops has made his home in Lexington's Beaumont neighborhood, purchasing a 9,000-square-foot residence there for $1.45 million shortly after arriving. The family has become integrated into the local community, with Stoops and his former wife actively participating in Lexington-based initiatives that foster connections beyond football. Stoops prioritizes work-life balance despite the rigorous demands of coaching, implementing family nights at the team's training facility and emphasizing quality time with his sons to counter the profession's intensity. He has noted that the long hours can detract from personal life but remains committed to maintaining strong familial bonds. In terms of philanthropy, Stoops co-hosts the annual Coaches for the Kids event with his staff, raising over $1 million in 2023 alone for Kentucky Children's Hospital through bourbon and fundraisers. The foundation, under his involvement, has contributed millions to pediatric care projects since 2013, including facility expansions and patient support programs. He also hosts youth football camps via athletics, providing skill-building opportunities for local children. His charitable work earned him the Honorary Coach title for the 2022 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. No significant health issues or personal milestones beyond family matters have been publicly reported for Stoops through 2025. As part of a renowned coaching dynasty, he shares a close bond with brothers Bob and Mike Stoops, both accomplished head coaches in their own right.

Coaching achievements and impact

Mark Stoops has earned recognition for his coaching prowess, including the Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year award in 2018, voted by both the Associated Press and SEC coaches, following a 10-3 season that marked Kentucky's first bowl victory in over a decade. He has also received regional honors, such as the Bear Bryant Coach of the Week award in 2024 after an upset win over then-No. 6 Ole Miss. While Stoops has not won a national coach of the year award, his staff has garnered multiple bowl game MVP recognitions for defensive coordinators during postseason appearances. Under Stoops' leadership since 2013, football has undergone a significant transformation, evolving from a program that posted a 7-17 record in the two seasons prior to his arrival into a consistent contender with eight postseason berths in his first 12 years. He holds the program's record for total wins (82 as of November 2025) with an overall head coaching record of 82-78 (.513 winning percentage). Stoops' tenure includes a 4-4 record, highlighted by four postseason wins, including consecutive victories in 2017-2018 and 2020-2021. Stoops' broader impact on stems from his roots in a prominent family, where he is the youngest of four brothers—all head coaches or high-level assistants—who have collectively influenced the sport's defensive strategies. His brother Bob led to the 2000 , Ron served as for the ' appearance in 2009, and Mike has held head positions at and other programs, with the siblings often sharing defensive philosophies that have shaped peers through their coaching trees. Stoops himself emphasizes defensive fundamentals, a hallmark of the family's approach that has elevated mid-tier programs like to sustained relevance. In the context of 2025, amid ongoing speculation about his during a challenging season in which the Wildcats are 5-5 as of November 19 with three games remaining, Stoops has been credited with driving key infrastructure advancements at , including a $45 million football training facility announced in March and over $110 million in broader athletic upgrades encompassing NIL support enhancements and renovations. These investments, including $36 million specifically for improvements like seating and fan amenities, have bolstered recruiting and program stability during a challenging year. As of November 19, 2025, is positioned for a potential ninth bowl berth if the team achieves at least one more victory.

References

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