Kentucky Wildcats Football: Mark Stoops Transcript
By Paul Jordan
Oct 11, 2014; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs linebacker Matthew Wells (22) celebrates after recovering a fumble during the game against the Auburn Tigers at Davis Wade Stadium. Mississippi State Bulldogs defeated the Auburn Tigers 38-23. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports
Q. Mississippi State is No. 1, Ole Miss is off to a great start. Just the way you guys have improved. Does it show that the league is becoming more balanced?
COACH STOOPS: I believe so. We’ve commented on it a little bit through some of these press conferences through the year, and I’ve mentioned it before. You don’t see anybody backing up in this league, and I know quite a few of the coaches in this league and their staffs and the commitment from a lot of people. So nobody’s going back, and I believe it does give you a little bit more parity.
Q. Have you talked to some of the other coaches in the league about the turnaround of Kentucky this year?
COACH STOOPS: We’re all busy and different things. Just congratulations here and there and texts. You know, so we have some ‑‑ I have some friends throughout the conference, like most people. Like a lot of people in this business, just like Coach Peve and all the other guys.
Q. Got some compliments along the way about how this team is playing. What’s been the best compliment anyone’s given you so far?
COACH STOOPS: I don’t want to get into too much, but the bottom line is just about the attitude and how hard we’re playing. You know, if it’s a group that plays hard, then that’s a compliment to me, so they’ve gotta be passionate and hungry and playing hard.
Q. (Question regarding Javess Blue’s one-handed catch.)
COACH STOOPS: It was beautiful at the time, you know. I loved it. It was great to see guys make individual efforts. I think as a team it’s well documented, we’re trying to do things necessary to improve, but you gotta have some individual players that make those great plays and that was great to see.
Q. (Question regarding his relationship with Les Miles.)
COACH STOOPS: I know Les just from the years of coaching. Not on a personal level. I really like him. I think he’s fun to watch. You gotta give him credit. Boy, he wins a lot of close games. And he’s obviously doing something right, and I think, again, going back to the things I just talked about the best compliment you get is your team is tough. They’re always tough and physical and that’s a direct reflection of him.
Q. Do you get nightmares because he’s going to do something that is not on the script, it’s not on the sheet?
COACH STOOPS: I don’t know. I don’t know why, but he wins close games, and obviously his team’s belief in him and what they’re doing, because they’re never out of it.
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