Mark Stoops on why he's now speaking out for NIL support: 'I'm gonna fight the fight'

In the new NIL era, college football coaches across the country have been pleading with their boosters for more money for several months now. Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops recently decided to speak out on the topic with KSR and said he’s going to “fight the fight” for his team.

The KSR host began the interview by discussing the example at Texas A&M where an assistant coach was seen talking about NIL opportunities with prospects at Kyle Field. Stoops then responded, “However, I’ll say that’s the kind of stuff…this is not gonna be policed. I don’t really wanna do that. I don’t really wanna do that. I don’t know whether that’s legal or not legal. I’m telling you, yes, it’s perfectly legal for people that have a business expense for future marketing expenses, that use Kentucky athletes. We need that still…But there’s been some very, you know…once [Ryan Day] and he….I think he came out publicly and said, yeah we need $13 million to keep this roster in play. And then I believe James Franklin came back and said well 13, we need 14. I mean, don’t quote me exactly on that,” Stoops said.

“But I’m just saying, well respected, good coaches out there that are publicly saying ‘Yeah, we need money.’ So I’m not gonna sit on the bench anymore. I also was on the record three, four, five months ago saying hey listen, whatever it takes. I’m gonna fight the fight. I’m gonna fight the fight. And I’m gonna fight the fight the best we can and we’re gonna have the same look. We’re gonna be the same tough, scrappy, physical football team that you always see. And we’re not gonna change. And I want players that come here because they want to earn it. And yes, I wanna help them earn it. I want a fund there [that has money]. You know what I mean? I want them to be able to do it because they deserve that. I don’t want guys that want a handout,” Stoops said.

Mark Stoops has done incredible things for the Kentucky Wildcats

Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops had more than a few reasons to be happy after his team’s 20-17 Vrbo Citrus Browl victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes at the end of last season. With the win, he earned the Wildcats’ their 10th win of the 2021-2022 season, which earned him a $250,000 bonus. His bonus total for the season moved to $600,000.

Stoops has done an incredible job at Kentucky, and he deserved every penny of his contract bonus. Check out this mind-blowing stat posted on Twitter by Aaron Torres of FOX Sports. In the 60 years before Mark Stoops arrived, the Wildcats only had one 10-win season for their football program. They also had zero 10-win seasons in the 30 years before he arrived. Now, they have two in the last four seasons.

Stoops and the Kentucky Wildcats kick off their 2022-2023 college football season against the Miami Redhawks. Kickoff for that one is slated for 7:00 PM EST on Sept. 3.