Mark Stoops explains how busy coaches are during this time of the year
There may not be a busier time of year for college football coaches than the period between the end of the regular season and the end of bowl season. Amid that stretch, Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops explained just how busy coaches are during this time of year.
Along with preparing for a bowl game, coaches are also trying to finish their recruiting class from high school and deal with the transfer portal this time of year. That, as Stoops broke down, provides a massive challenge.
“This part of it, it’s pretty much 24/7,” Mark Stoops said. “It does kill me once in a while, when guys I’ve known for 10 years and good friends of mine that are in town and I love them, they are dear friends – ‘Hey coach, you wanna go do this?’ Like don’t you understand I’m busy 24/7 right now? Like literally, right now it’s 24/7.”
Stoops also lamented that more people don’t realize just how busy this stretch is for coaches, assuming that things die down when the regular season ends.
“Everybody thinks it stops right after the season, [but] probably the busiest time of the season is between now and December 20th when we get a little break before Christmas. Between now and December 20th it’s 24/7.”
One of the biggest changes that coaches have had to deal with is Early Signing Day. This is now when most high school recruits sign. This year, it’s on December 20th, right in the middle of bowl preparation. Add in managing the transfer portal and it’s non-stop for coaches.
For his own part, Mark Stoops has been busy in the transfer portal. The Wildcats have taken multiple potential offensive starters out of the transfer portal already. That includes multiple quarterbacks and now former Ohio State running back Chip Trayanum. As of writing, the On3 2024 College Football Team Transfer Portal Rankings have Kentucky as the sixth-ranked transfer class in the country.
Mark Stoops discusses his respect for Dabo Swinney ahead of Gator Bowl
Ahead of the Gator Bowl, Mark Stoops praised Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney.
“I know Dabo just from crossing paths. Not very well,” Stoops said. “I have a lot of respect for him and what he has done. I wouldn’t say personally that well but you can’t help but feel like you know him. He has been on a big stage there for a long time. He has done very well.”