Kentucky, Mark Stoops working on future as Citrus Bowl practices begin

Citrus Bowl preparations have begun for the University of Kentucky football program. The Wildcats have started bowl practice, but not much focus has been put on No. 15 Iowa yet.

Mark Stoops and his coaching staff are focused on building their roster in 2021 before getting into the weeds of game preparations for the Hawkeyes.

“It’s very tough,” Stoops told reporters on Friday regarding building a roster. “It’s always difficult. I’m going through that daily — I need to get my feet on the ground, to be honest with ya, and tomorrow morning have some meetings with our staff and see exactly where we’re at. Have conversations with some of our current players and seeing where they’re at.

“With the option of coming back with the COVID year, with maybe some of our players wanting to enter the portal, with guys coming in there’s a lot to it. Very fluid and a lot of moving pieces. We manage it each day.”

Since the regular season ended, eight players have entered the transfer portal. Most recently, Isaiah Gibson decided to jump in after playing sparingly in 2021. More departures could happen as the offseason moves forward, and Kentucky looks into adding players to their program from the transfer portal.

Times are changing in college football, and the Wildcats are looking to keep up with the field.

“It is what it is, and so I better adapt. I better do it the best I can,” said Stoops. “Obviously, our roster improved from the transfer portal from last year. It helped us.”

Expect the Wildcats to lean into the portal again this offseason.

New indoor facility is needed

Mark Stoops has talked about the need for an expanded indoor practice facility all season long. When meeting with Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart towards the end of the season, that was shared as an upgrade the program needed.

Those wheels are in motion, and getting that done will be essential for the program moving forward.

“Just simply we need a 100-yard field,” Stoops told reporters. “We need a field. When we go in there you can tell where we’re located geographically we need an indoor because of the weather. The one we have has a track around it. I believe there’s one of two Power Fives that don’t have a full 100 yards, and we’re one of them. We just need the room.

“I’m not asking for something we don’t need.”

Getting that done will help Kentucky practice more efficiently throughout the season and provide the coaching staff some more ammo to use on the recruiting trail as the university continues to show a financial commitment to football.

“Now we go from having an indoor that’s insufficient to one of the best ones in the country if we do it right.”

Coaching carousel made an impact on Mark Stoops

The ninth-year head coach decided very early on what he wanted to do with his future. Mark Stoops is committed to the University of Kentucky and building a winning football program that can challenge for championships in the Southeastern Conference.

However, this year’s version of the coaching carousel has been absurd. Stoops realized the impact it can have on people as he saw firsthand the impact Oklahoma went through after Lincoln Riley surprisingly bolted for USC.

However, Stoops is not afraid of the challenge. The 54-year-old head coach is ready for the fight and to keep climbing the ladder with Kentucky.

“For me to leave, it’s just not in our blood. I say our blood…in Stoops blood,” said Stoops. “To run from a fight, to think there’s an easier road. Things are hard no matter where you’re at. It’s a daily fight, it’s a grind, but loyalty’s important.

Buzz appears to be at an all-time high for the football program and Stoops recognizes that. The head coach is ready to continue this climb as the administration, players, coaches, and fan base are all pulling on the rope together and in unison.

This type of alignment can give Kentucky a chance to do great things on the field in the future.