Kentucky Wildcat Football: Who is Mark Stoops?

• Stoops was instrumental in turning Arizona into one of the finest defensive units in the Pac-10 during his six-year stint. Arizona ranked 25th nationally in total defense in 2009 and was ranked among the top three in the conference in five statistical categories as the Wildcats finished with a second consecutive 8-5 season.

• Stoops built an impressive resume by developing nationally elite units, especially in the secondary. Prior to his six-year run at Arizona, he spent three seasons at the University of Miami as the secondary coach. His 2002 and 2003 units led the nation in pass defense, while the 2001 Hurricanes – which won the national championship – led the nation in pass efficiency defense, scoring defense and turnover margin.

• He spent the 2000 season as co-defensive coordinator at Houston, following a three-year run at Wyoming as the secondary coach. His first full-time college job came in 1996 when he was hired by USF to help with the start-up of the program.

• A proponent of zone schemes, Stoops’ pass defenses have been especially proficient and extraordinary at takeaways. The 2001 Miami team established a single-season school record with 27 interceptions and 45 takeaways. Miami’s 2002 secondary tied an NCAA record by allowing just 9.5 yards per completion. The 2003 Hurricanes were second in total defense and fourth in scoring defense and pass efficiency defense. The 1997 Wyoming secondary contributed significantly to its school-record 24 interceptions.

• Stoops recruited and developed some of the finest defensive backs in the nation over the past decade, many of who have gone on to enjoy outstanding NFL careers. Among the notable are Arizona’s Antoine Cason and Michael Johnson, Miami’s Philip Buchanon, Kelly Jennings, Brandon Merriweather, Ed Reed, Antrel Rolle, Mike Rumph, Sean Taylor, and Wyoming’s Brian Lee.

• Like his brothers, Stoops played collegiately in the secondary at Iowa for Hall of Fame coach Hayden Fry. Fry hired Stoops as a graduate assistant for the 1990 and 1991 seasons. The Hawkeyes won the 1990 Big Ten title and played in the Rose Bowl; duplicating feats Stoops also achieved as a player during a four-year career.

• As a player and a coach, he has taken part in 12 bowls, including his first season at Florida State and both of his final two seasons at Arizona.

• Before launching his collegiate coaching career, Stoops followed in his father’s footsteps as a high school football coach. He spent four years at Ohio’s Nordonia Hills as an assistant and the school’s athletic director.

• Raised in Youngstown, Ohio, Stoops played high school football at Cardinal Mooney.

Stoops’ Coaching Ledger

Year School Position W-L Postseason
1990 Iowa GA 8-4 Rose
1991 Iowa GA 10-1-1 Holiday
1992 Nordonia Hills DB
1993 Nordonia Hills DB
1994 Nordonia Hills DB
1995 Nordonia Hills DB
1996 USF DB 0-0
1997 Wyoming DB 7-6
1998 Wyoming DB 8-3
1999 Wyoming DB 7-4
2000 Houston CODC/DB 3-8
2001 Miami (Fla.) DB 12-0 Rose
2002 Miami (Fla.) DB 12-1 Fiesta
2003 Miami (Fla.) DB 11-2 Orange
2004 Arizona DC/DB 3-8
2005 Arizona DC/DB 3-8
2006 Arizona DC/DB 6-6
2007 Arizona DC/DB 5-7
2008 Arizona DC/DB 8-5 Las Vegas
2009 Arizona DC/DB 8-5 Holiday
2010 Florida State DC 10-4 Chick-fil-A
2011 Florida State DC 9-4 Champs Sports