The pressure on Mark Stoops isn't just coming from the stands or the media anymore. It's starting to come from within the family.
It’s one thing to lose games and face fan anger. It’s another thing entirely when former players, the very individuals who bled blue and white under your leadership, begin to publicly echo that frustration. That signals a potential shift from a coaching slump to a cultural fracture. It has been long brewing, as we talked about some former players here too. Now it grows louder.
Badet amplifies discontent
After former LSU receiver Malik Nabers posted a cryptic "kicking rocks" video seemingly aimed at the fired Brian Kelly, former Kentucky receiver Jeff Badet reposted it with a pointed message directed at his own former program:
“Got a couple of former teammates that’s gonna be on this type of time with stoops 😭,” Badet posted on X (formerly Twitter).
got a couple of former teammates that’s gonna be on this type of time with stoops 😭 https://t.co/HZahkea7nt
— Jeff Badet (@JeffBadet__) October 27, 2025
While Badet played early in Stoops' tenure (before transferring), his comment reflects a sentiment reportedly shared by other program alums. In recent months, whispers have surfaced from multiple former players suggesting the culture under Stoops has grown "stale" and lacks the accountability it once had.
A program adrift
It’s not difficult to see why discontent might be brewing. Kentucky football is mired in arguably its worst stretch under Stoops since his first few rebuilding years:
- 10 consecutive SEC home losses dating back to September 2023.
- Just one win against Power Four opponents in their last 15 tries (1-14).
- A 6-13 record overall since the start of the 2024 season.
- An offense that consistently ranks near the bottom of the SEC.
By the fourth quarter of Saturday's blowout loss to Tennessee, Kroger Field was embarrasingly empty. Providing a stark image of a fanbase losing faith. While Stoops still maintains the public support of Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart, losing the confidence of former players adds another layer of pressure. When the individuals who know the program from the inside start questioning the direction, it’s more than just bad optics; it's a potential warning flare that deeper issues exist.
Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time he enjoys downtime with his family and Premier League soccer. You can find him on X here. Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion