Mark Stoops is "right where I want to be" at Kentucky
Mark Stoops took the Big Blue Nation on a roller coaster ride. After shocking the Louisville Cardinals with another win in the Governor’s Cup, the Cats’ fifth-straight, the Kentucky head coach was reportedly in deep discussions with Texas A&M about their head coaching vacancy.
There were two fan sites that went so far as to say that Stoops was leaving Lexington for College Station to become the Aggies’ next head coach. After a few hours of uncertainty Saturday night, Stoops cleared the air by saying he’s staying at Kentucky.
During his final regular season call-in show, he got to say more about how the events unfolded. He said he was enjoying some RD1, Pappy van Winkle and a cigar with his coaches when the courtship reached a crescendo.
“A bunch of my coaches were hanging out and enjoying the victory. I don’t really care to get into it too much. I don’t like to normally discuss things like that. I have respect for everybody in our conference, everybody that you talk to, but sometimes people pursue you,” said Stoops.
“My concentration was on the Louisville game, as evidence by the way we played. It was extremely important to end that way. And (it was) simply a great conversation that night. Yeah, I was pursued by another opportunity, and I am right where I want to be, with a great team, a bunch of players, administration and a bunch of people that are aligned, to do the right things and to win. I’m very happy.”
Stoops Meets with the Kentucky Wildcats
In many years past, this call-in show was conducted via the phone while on the road recruiting. The addition of the transfer portal has changed the calendar. It is also why schools push to fill open head coaching positions so quickly. The next year’s roster is being built as we speak.
Jalen Geiger was the first grad transfer to enter the portal. Ray Davis announced his intent to enter the NFL Draft. Those decisions were made after Stoops and his staff spent the day meeting with the Kentucky Wildcats.
“What’s most important is keeping your team intact. That’s what we’ve been doing. Yesterday was our typical Sunday. We went in as a staff, got together and I met with the coordinators and just had a plan for what we want to do moving forward for the roster,” said Stoops.
“Roster management is the number one priority right now. I met all day, literally all day today, with players and people coming in and coaches. So it was an extremely busy day, but very productive, very positive, very good meetings with the players. I’m extremely encouraged.”
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