Conversations are happening on Mark Stoops' future at Kentucky

Will Mark Stoops be the head coach at Kentucky next season? Conversations are happening now to decide one way or another, according to KSR’s own Matt Jones.

The assumption was that Mitch Barnhart had decided to run it back with Stoops in 2026 coming off three straight wins over Auburn, Florida and Tennessee Tech. Then the wheels fell off in the final two weeks of the season, losing to Vanderbilt and Louisville by a combined total of 86-17, putting UK administration in scramble mode to reevaluate the future of the program.

Which way are they leaning? At least some decision-makers believe a change at head coach is necessary, Jones reports, with clarity coming as Sunday unfolds.

Every new twist, turn and whisper is being shared on KSR+ for the true diehards — your one-stop shop for the latest intel on the Kentucky Wildcats from the best insiders in the game. You can sign up today with our Black Friday deal that gives you a full year of KSR+ and KSBoard, plus premium content from On3 and Rivals, along with access to The Athletic, for 50% off — just $59.99 compared to the regular price of $119.99.

Get the Daily On3 Newsletter in your inbox every morning

By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.

JOIN KSR+ NOW.

Jeff Piecoro shares his take on Stoops’ future

The color commentator for Kentucky football has his hunch on how this all unfolds. Jeff Piecoro called into WLAP’s Sunday Morning Sports Talk to double down on Stoops’ claims that there is a “zero percent chance I walk away” — voluntarily, at least.

In other words, pay him his buyout or deal with it.

Piecoro doesn’t think Barnhart will ultimately pull the trigger on that money, but will instead force Stoops to hit reset on his staff. That includes Brad White finding a new home.

“Here’s what people don’t understand, guys. It’s not about Mark Stoops leaving, alright, it’s about the assistant coaches,” Piecoro said. “I think only Bush (Hamdan) and (Eric Wolford) are signed for next season. I think what happens is Mitch says, ‘You have to make wholesale changes on your assistant coaching staff,’ and Brad White is up. His tenure is up. I love Brad White, but I don’t know if they retain him because they have to make changes to appease the fans.

“Mark is not stepping away from $38 million. That’s not happening.”

We’ll see what happens — we won’t have to wait too much longer.