Mark Stoops might be motivated, but his NCAA 26 likeness sure isn't
Mark Stoops might be more motivated than ever entering his 13th season in Lexington, but you wouldn't know it from EA Sports College Football 26—where his digital alter ego looks more like former UK great QB Jared Lorenzen.
My face after Calzada’s 4th pick pic.twitter.com/0comvEGXtM
— Nolan Fleming (@nolanuky27) July 4, 2025
The image circulating online speaks for itself: a weird face, a build that doesn't quite fit Mark Stoops, and not a hint of the famous Stoops scrowl and red face that’s become a sideline fixture in Lexington. EA got the Kentucky logo right. The head coach? Not so much.
The new edition of the once-dormant NCAA franchise is one of the most anticipated sports video games of all time. College Football 25, released last year after an 11-year hiatus, reportedly sold over 4.2 million copies in its first month—a record for a college sports title and one that rivaled Madden’s own numbers. With the full licensing of 134 FBS teams, over 11,000 player likenesses, and a Dynasty Mode so immersive it practically needs a syllabus, it’s safe to say NCAA 26 is already a cultural phenomenon.
But not everyone opted in. Legendary NFL coach Bill Belichick never allowed his name in Madden, and several college coaches took similar stands. In this case, however, Stoops did agree to be part of the game. That’s what makes his digital double’s appearance all the more puzzling.
EA hasn't officially commented on the Kentucky coach’s in-game look, but fans are noticing. For a man known for building blue-collar toughness and physicality into his program, being rendered like an AI-generated assistant manager at Lexington's Jeff Ruby's isn’t exactly the best look.
Then again, knowing Stoops, he probably doesn’t care or even know anything about it. He is too motivated to worry about it.
Just don't let the recruits see the game first.