MItch Barnhart's sweetheart contract to Stoops biggest mistake in Kentucky football history?
We get it, Mark Stoops was hot. He won 10 games 2 times in a short period and Kentucky was gaining some credibility in the SEC. Mitch Barnhart was looking to lock up Stoops for the foreseeable future, and he did so with a contract that may go down in history as one of the worst ever.
According to USA Today, Mark Stoops has made just over 59 million so far for his time at Kentucky. He has 67 total wins (10 were vacated or it would be 77), so his payment per win is $881,571.64. Nearly 1 million dollars a win at Kentucky. Looking at the SEC numbers it's even worse, 28 sec wins means he gets paid $2,109,473.21 for every SEC win he gets. Granted there have been some good times, but wow thats a lot of money for not much in return. They did have a nice bowl streak though.
For eight straight seasons, Kentucky football was a regular in the bowl season. But after a dismal 4-8 campaign in 2024—and with a FanDuel win total set at just 4.5—the Wildcats face a steep uphill climb to reclaim postseason status in 2025.
The schedule is loaded with top-tier SEC programs and a few winnable matchups. But for Mark Stoops, who’s making nearly $9 million a year now, getting back to six wins is essential. Let’s break down the Wildcats’ path in three categories: Not Likely, Toss-Ups, and Must Wins.
Not Likely Wins (0-5?)
These are the games where Kentucky will likely be heavy underdogs—and winning even one would be a big-time upset.
- Texas – The Longhorns have legitimate playoff aspirations and will bring a massive following to Lexington.
- Tennessee – The Vols have dominated this rivalry against Stoops, just 2-9 against the Vols.
- Ole Miss – A high-powered offense and Lane looking for revenge? Not ideal.
- @ Georgia – The Bulldogs are still the standard in the SEC and Mark Stoops has never beaten them.
- @Auburn – Auburn's talent and depth may be too much on the plains.
Realistically: If Kentucky loses all five, they’ll need to go 6-1 in the remaining games to reach a bowl.
Toss-Up Games (Need 2 of 3)
These are the matchups that will likely define the season. If Kentucky wins two of these three, and takes care of business elsewhere, they’re going bowling.
- Florida – The Gators embarrassed Kentucky last year. But the rematch is in Lexington late in the season—maybe momentum swings?
- @ South Carolina – Columbia is always a tough place to win, and the Gamecocks blew out the Cats last season.
- @ Louisville – The Cards dominated in 2024. Can UK turn the rivalry back in their favor in the finale?
Combined score last year for these 3 games was 120-40. Can the Cats turn that around this year?
The Math: If Kentucky sweeps its must-win games (see below), it still needs two of these three. Anything less than 2-1 here, and the postseason odds vanish.
Must-Win Games (4-0 Required)
No excuses. These are the games Kentucky has to win to even have a shot at six wins.
- Toledo – A solid MAC opponent, but this is a game the Cats must control.
- Eastern Michigan – Another MAC team that shouldn’t cause too many issues—if UK comes focused.
- Tennessee Tech – A get-right game in the middle of the season. Can’t afford to stumble.
- Vanderbilt – Yes, Vandy has beaten UK two of the last three years, but the Cats owned the previous six. A loss here would be devastating.
Historical Note: Kentucky’s recent Vandy losses loom large, but this is one Stoops and company can’t afford to let slip.
Final word: Bowl or bust?
The roadmap is clear: win the four you’re supposed to, then grab two of Florida, South Carolina, and Louisville. That gets you to six. Otherwise, it’ll take a shocking upset of Georgia, Tennessee, or Texas—teams built to contend at the highest level.
With fan frustration rising, season tickets dropping, and Stoops carrying a hefty price tag, the pressure is on.
Can Kentucky find a way back to the postseason in 2025, or will the Wildcats miss a bowl game for the second year in a row?
Let us know which game you think will make or break the season.