Mark Stoops has long been credited with raising the profile of Kentucky football, but the program is now teetering on the edge of collapse back to Joker Phillips days. With the 2026 recruiting class shaping up to potentially be the worst of Stoops’ tenure, the fallout from a disastrous 4-8 season is becoming evident.
The Fallout from 2024
Kentucky’s 4-8 record in 2024 was more than just a bad year—it was a catastrophe. The offense was inept, leaving fans frustrated and players unimpressed. The defense, once a strength, was gutted as the team lost nearly the entire front seven, and replacements are coming from the transfer portal. Those will be unknowns, could be great, but could be worse.
Portal Rankings Tell Two Different Stories
Stoops and his staff did manage to pull together a portal class that ranks 6th according to ESPN. However, On3’s rankings paint a much darker picture, placing the Wildcats 23rd when factoring in the talent leaving the program versus the talent coming in. This disparity highlights the harsh reality: while Kentucky might have brought in bodies, the quality of the departing players outweighs the incoming talent. That could have been intentional as well, as Stoops may want to flip back to under recruited players who play with a chip.
His best teams have come with that style of recruiting, but it was through high school and 3 or 4 years in a program; not a 1 or 2 year portal rental.
The Hot Seat and Recruiting Challenges
Stoops will enter the 2025 season firmly on the hot seat, and if fans had their way, he would not be in Lexington right now. While his contract includes a massive buyout and guarantees him another year if he reaches seven wins, the pressure is mounting. Fans and recruits alike are questioning whether he’s the right man to lead the program.
Mark Stoops job is more than safe and his seat is barely warm with the administration, let alone hot...but with the fans, it's very hot.
— Larry Glover Live (@larrygloverlive) November 24, 2024
Is there another example where a coach was in a safe spot with an AD but the fan base was done?
The opener against Toledo is now a critical game—not just for the season but for Stoops’ future. A loss, or even a close win, would send shockwaves through the program. Rival schools will undoubtedly use any early stumbles as ammunition to steer recruits away from Kentucky.
A Frustrated Fan Base
Adding to the tension is the sentiment among some fans that another bad season might be the best outcome. With Stoops’ buyout and contract terms making it difficult to move on from him, a second consecutive losing season could force the administration to consider a long-term rebuild.
The 2026 Recruiting Class: A Bleak Outlook
The 2026 class is already shaping up to be a disaster. Stoops is struggling to attract top-tier talent after the dismal 2024 season. The lack of momentum on the recruiting trail is compounded by the uncertainty surrounding his future, making it difficult to convince players and their families to buy into the program.
If Kentucky fails to show significant improvement in 2025, the 2026 class could cement itself as the worst under Stoops, setting the program back years. The Wildcats are now at a crossroads, and the decisions made in the coming months will determine whether they can salvage the future—or spiral into mediocrity.