Jacob Tamme, member of Champions Blue board, issues statement on Mark Stoops

Former Kentucky players have been weighing in on Mark Stoops’ departure since the news broke last night; there’s one tweet that you should pay special attention to.

Jacob Tamme posted a lengthy statement about Stoops on Twitter this morning. Not only is Tamme a former Kentucky Football great and member of the UK Athletics Hall of Fame, but he now serves on the Board of Governors for Champions Blue LLC, UK Athletics’ new management model. Tamme paid tribute to Stoops while also explaining why it is time for a change.

“Mark Stoops reset the culture of Kentucky football. He brought toughness, physicality, and grit at a time when the program desperately needed all three. More than that, the high points of his tenure here fostered belief. Streaks ended. Bowls won. Standards risen. Under his leadership, Kentucky became a program that, at our best, could compete with anyone.

“I’ll remember his era as one defined by competitiveness and genuine excitement. I was in the stands for much of it, and saw with my own eyes the energy around our state and inside Kroger Field on gameday when Kentucky football was right. For a long stretch, Coach Stoops made it right. I am personally grateful to Mark for everything he has dedicated to this program over the last 13 years.

“Recent seasons have been disappointing. The combination of factors required to win at the highest level of college football has shifted dramatically. For Kentucky football to take the next step, it’s time for the next chapter. Let’s go make it happen.”

Mark Stoops reset the culture of Kentucky football. He brought toughness, physicality, and grit at a time when the program desperately needed all three. More than that, the high points of his tenure here fostered belief. Streaks ended. Bowls won. Standards risen. Under his…

— Jacob Tamme (@JacobTamme) December 1, 2025

We probably will never know what went on behind closed doors at the UK Athletics’ offices yesterday; however, the Champions Blue board of governors likely had a part in it. The board consists of seven voting members:

• Tamme, the Director of Sports and Entertainment for Meridian Wealth Management;
• Eli Capilouto, UK President;
• Eric Monday, UK EVP for Finance and Administration;
• George C. Wright, UK Senior Advisor to the President;
• Rob Edwards, VP and Chief Strategy and Government Affairs Officer;
• Shannon Arvin, President
• and Chief Executive Officer, Keeneland; and Chris Prindiville, the former Senior VP of Fanatics.

Mitch Barnhart and JMI president Paul Archey are also on the board as non-voting members. The Champions Blue board isn’t scheduled to meet again until the new year; that could obviously change as the coaching search rolls on. The UK Board of Trustees athletics committee — a separate group — was scheduled to meet today at 4:30 p.m., but that meeting has been canceled. Barnhart typically speaks to reporters after those meetings, but without that and no scheduled press conference, we probably won’t hear from him until a new coach is hired. He’s a pretty busy guy right now.

Mitch Barnhart, Eli Capilouto’s statements

In case you missed it earlier today, UK announced the “change in football leadership” with a press release that included statements from Barnhart and Capilouto.

Statement from Kentucky Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart …
“I have informed Coach Mark Stoops that we have decided to go in a new direction at head coach.

“I want to thank Mark for his dedication and leadership over the past 13 years, and as importantly, the friendship that is marked by walking these journeys together. His tenure transformed the program and reset expectations. His time here was filled with memorable victories, a historic run of consecutive bowl appearances, and a commitment to developing young men both on and off the field.

“We move forward committed to build upon the strong foundation that has been laid and to pursue excellence relentlessly.

“We have begun a national search to identify the next leader of Kentucky Football, someone with proven coaching results and a vision for success for Kentucky.

“I am deeply grateful for the great support we get from Big Blue Nation. Their passion and loyalty continue to make Kroger Field one of the best environments in college football.

“Kentucky Football is positioned for success. We will continue to make the necessary investments to recruit an elite head coach, players, and support staff. That includes fully funding revenue-sharing and NIL opportunities, providing state-of-the-art facilities, and ensuring our student-athletes have every resource to thrive.

“Our mission is clear: to build a championship program for the people of Kentucky. We embrace this moment with optimism and determination, confident that the next chapter will see Kentucky Football reach new heights and achieve great success.”

Statement from Kentucky President Eli Capilouto …
“After a review that he conducts every year, Mitch is making a change in the head coaching position of our football team.

“I support his decision and will work with him to make a hire that will achieve the levels of success the Big Blue Nation expects and that we all want.

“I want to thank Coach Stoops for his 13 years of service and leadership at the University of Kentucky. He helped lead the revival of this program and achieved historic results. We are deeply appreciative of what he accomplished with this program and with the support of a committed staff throughout UK Athletics, outstanding young men and an incredible fan base.

“It is critically important that we are competitive and successful in football. That is our goal. It is our focus. We intend to be successful.”