Wildcats' culture collapse? Ex-players blast Kentucky football’s downward spiral under Mark Stoops

Kentucky football's struggles extend beyond the field as a wave of player departures and mounting criticism from former players suggest deeper issues within the program’s culture. Fans who had once celebrated Mark Stoops for bringing respectability to the Wildcats now find themselves grappling with a program that appears to be unraveling.

The departure of 15 players to the transfer portal this offseason, including key contributor and hometown hero Dane Key, speedster Barion Brown, and undeveloped talents like Tyreese Fearby, raise serious questions about internal dysfunction. Kentucky’s offense, which ranked near the bottom of the SEC in production, has failed to establish any rhythm outside of one year under Liam Coen, and even that year wasn't great. The turnover on the roster only adds to the chaos, leaving fans wondering if Stoops has lost control of the locker room.

Bush Hamdan is a top 10 paid OC, Brad White is paid as a top 15 DC, and Vince Marrow makes over a million dollars as a recruiting coordinator. Kentucky is paying out big bucks and getting next to nothing in return.

Now, former players are beginning to speak out, shedding light on what could be a deteriorating team culture. Deandre Square, former linebacker, said the team is no longer playing for one another. Kash Daniel said the team was a circus.

Even current players are acknowledging how bad the leadership has been, with Ja'mori Maclin saying it was the biggest change needed. These sentiments echo fan concerns about Stoops’ ability to manage a team in the increasingly competitive world of NIL and transfer opportunities.

Stoops, for his part, insists the problems are fixable. “Nobody panic” he said recently. But fans have heard this before. Last season was supposed to be a turning point, yet the offense floundered, and Kentucky failed to meet expectations yet again. Stoops has made decisions—like conservative play-calling and loyalty to underperforming staff—that seem at odds with building a dynamic program capable of competing in the SEC.

Compare this with programs like Tennessee or South Carolina, which have embraced modern offensive schemes and aggressive recruiting. Kentucky, by contrast, feels stuck in the past, relying on an outdated identity of “toughness” that no longer resonates in today’s game.

As players continue to leave and the criticisms grow louder, Stoops faces the most challenging chapter of his tenure. Without swift and meaningful change, Kentucky risks falling back into irrelevance—a reality the fans and former players are clearly unwilling to accept.