Kentucky football entered its regular season finale needing a win against in-state rival Louisville to reach bowl eligibility.
That didn’t quite go to planned, with the Wildcats losing 41-0.
The loss sparked questions of coach Mark Stoops’ future in Lexington, given Kentucky’s 9-15 combined record the past two seasons. Stoops was emphatic, however, that he’s not going anywhere despite the loss.
‘Like, I’m going to walk away? Are you kidding me. … Zero percent chance I walk,’ Stoops told reporters after the game. ‘I’m going to be here as far as I’m concerned. I can’t control decisions that are made. If you’re asking me, I mean I said zero. Zero means zero. Zero percent chance I walk out.’
Firing Stoops wouldn’t be cheap for Kentucky. Stoops is owed over $37 million as of Dec. 1, 2025, if he were to be fired, according to USA TODAY Sports’ head coaches salaries database. The 13-year Kentucky coach is the 13th highest-paid head coach in college football, making $9 million in total pay this season.
Kentucky gained just 140 total yards to Louisville’s 440 total yards to end its season. It also had two turnovers, both of which were interceptions from quarterback Cutter Boley.
Stoops said he feels the team is heading in the right direction after the game.
‘I feel like there’s a good foundation to work with,’ Stoops said. ‘We need more players and we need the players we have to continue to develop.’
The 58-year-old coach now has an official 72-80 record at Kentucky, although he has led the program to some of its highest highs, including 10-win seasons in 2018 and 2021. (Of note, Kentucky’s 10 wins in 2021 were vacated by the NCAA).
Regardless, Stoops and Kentucky desperately need to rebuild the roster if they want to get back into competing for high-end bowl games.
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