Mark Stoops addresses firings of Jimbo Fisher, Zach Arnett

Mark Stoops of Kentucky addressed the firings of now-former fellow SEC coaches Jimbo Fisher and Zach Arnett.

Ironically, Fisher and Arnett clashed over the weekend, as the former’s Texas A&M Aggies defeated the latter’s Mississippi State Bulldogs. However, both were out of their respective gigs by Monday afternoon.

Speaking with the media, Stoops explained that he hasn’t reached out to Fisher just yet, who he had a prior relationship with, and that he certainly feels for Arnett.

“I haven’t reached out yet. I’m sure he’s got way too much on his plate right now,” Stoops said, regarding Fisher’s firing. “So no, I haven’t reached out. I know guys on their staff that I’m friends with, as well. I haven’t reached out to anybody. I’ve had my own things going on here, to try and put our team in a position to win. But you know, I think we all know what’s part of the gig, here in this league in particular.

“Same with Zach. Didn’t see that coming either. Don’t know Zach that well. But he got put in a really — it was a tough position, to be put in.”

Alas, that’s the name of the game when it comes to SEC football. It isn’t always fair, but winning saves everything. Mark Stoops will look to do just that as he continues to build the Wildcats into a contender.

Brian Kelly comments on firings of Jimbo Fisher, Zach Arnett

In other news, Brian Kelly felt for Jimbo Fisher and Zach Arnett amid their firings over the weekend from Texas A&M and Mississippi State, respectively.

The LSU head coach is familiar with both men, having coached in the same division. But he acknowledged the human side of things as well.

While it’s a business decision and it’s what both schools deemed the best direction, Kelly sympathized with Fisher and Arnett.

“Yeah, I mean it’s, you know, in our profession it’s unfortunately that time of year where decisions are made and they’re tough decisions,” Kelly said. “Those are good men and I know them both. They love coaching. Tough decisions are made at this time of the year for whatever the reasons are. 

“Each university has to make what they consider to be the best decisions for the direction of their programs. But, you know, the human side of it is I’m a coach as well and they’re good people, they’re good fathers, good husbands and you hope that they, you know, obviously land on their feet.”

On3’s Nick Kosko contributed to this article.