Kentucky football is at a crossroads after a dismal 4-8 campaign in 2024. It marked the program’s worst record under Mark Stoops since his first season in Lexington, with the Wildcats failing to score more than 20 points in any SEC game—a glaring statistic that underscores the team’s offensive struggles; that fans know are persistant. For most of Big Blue Nation, Stoops’ should have been fired and he would not be the coach going into 2025. However, his contract is iron clad and a nearly 50 million buyout means he will be the head man in charge.
The “We Want This to Work” Tier
ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg recently placed Stoops in his "We want this to work" tier of his way-too-early 2025 hot seat rankings, grouping him with SEC coaches Brent Venables, Hugh Freeze, and Kalen DeBoer. It’s a telling placement for a coach who once elevated Kentucky football to historic heights, with bowl appearances every year from 2016 to 2023 and two top-20 finishes in the AP Poll.
“Stoops has brought historic consistency to Kentucky and remained there when other opportunities surfaced,” Rittenberg noted. “But most SEC coaches can’t survive two rough seasons, and Kentucky had very few bright spots last fall, other than its road upset of Ole Miss. The Wildcats averaged just 20.6 points and 330.4 yards per game, and failed to eclipse 20 points in any SEC game.” And you have to admit, the program has been on a downward trajectory as South Carolina, Florida, Missouri and Vanderbilt are heading the opposite way.
A Tough Road Ahead
If Stoops is to secure his job, a return to a bowl game in 2025 would seem to be required, keep in mind his contract though. Kentucky’s schedule presents formidable challenges for a bowl game:
2025 Schedule Highlights:
- Aug. 30: vs. Toledo – Kroger Field (Lexington, KY)- Tough opener with a good MAC team.
- Sept. 6: vs. Ole Miss – Kroger Field (Lexington, KY)- Lane will try to get revenge.
- Sept. 13: vs. Eastern Michigan – Kroger Field (Lexington, KY)-Should be the first gimme of the year.
- Sept. 20: OPEN
- Sept. 27: at South Carolina – Williams-Brice Stadium (Columbia, SC)- Beamer has owned Stoops recently.
- Oct. 4: at Georgia – Sanford Stadium (Athens, GA)- Stoops has never beaten Georgia, the Cats haven't won against the Dogs since 2009
- Oct. 11: OPEN
- Oct. 18: vs. Texas – Kroger Field (Lexington, KY)- Arch Manning and Semi-finalist Texas will come to Kroger.
- Oct. 25: vs. Tennessee – Kroger Field (Lexington, KY)- Stoops has fumbled the bag against the Vols with better teams than he has in 2025.
- Nov. 1: at Auburn – Jordan-Hare Stadium (Auburn, AL)- Hugh Freeze will be coaching for his job, and winning at JHS is near impossible.
- Nov. 8: vs. Florida – Kroger Field (Lexington, KY)- Billy Napier suddenly looks like the guy to get Florida back on track, and you'd have to say it started with the Kentucky win.
- Nov. 15: vs. Tennessee Tech – Kroger Field (Lexington, KY)- Another classic Stoops November gimme.
- Nov. 22: at Vanderbilt – FirstBank Stadium (Nashville, TN)- Lea has beaten Stoops two straigh times.
- Nov. 29: at Louisville – L&N Stadium (Louisville, KY)- With a blowout under their built, can the Cats bounce back?
Where can Kentucky find six wins to secure bowl eligibility?
Offensive Woes
Kentucky’s 2024 offensive struggles were glaring, averaging just 20.6 points per game. The Wildcats' inability to move the ball consistently and finish drives cost them critical opportunities to stay competitive in SEC matchups. Offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan will face immense pressure to deliver better results in 2025 after a mass exodus of offensive talent.
Stoops’ Defiance
Despite the criticism, Stoops remains resolute, he has publicly shown no intention of stepping down and even if a bad year happens again; he probably still wont. His contract, which runs through 2030 and includes a $9 million salary for 2024, makes an immediate dismissal financially daunting. Kentucky would owe him 75% of his remaining salary if they made a change after next season.
The Fan Base vs. The Pundits
While fans are clamoring for a change, many analysts are urging patience. Stoops has brought stability to a historically inconsistent program, and his success from 2016 to 2021 remains a significant achievement. However, the discontent among even the most optimistic Stoops supporters is growing, and another losing season would make his position untenable.
The Big Question
Can Kentucky rebound in 2025 under Stoops, or will the Wildcats face another subpar season that forces Mitch Barnhart to make a tough decision? The answer lies in how the Wildcats perform against one of the toughest schedules in the SEC.
For now, the heat is on, and the pressure to deliver is higher than ever.