Simple handshake agreement was enough for Mark Stoops, Kentucky

Following a second 9-3 season in four years, Mark Stoops became a hot name in coaching carousel circles.

The ninth-year head coach was linked to the LSU opening, and many in sports media thought he made a lot of sense to be the next guy at Oklahoma. However, Stoops agreed to a contract extension with Director of Athletics Mitch Barnhart and President Eli Capilouto soon after the season.

For the 54-year-old head coach, the decision was easy once everyone got on the same page.

“We had that conversation during the bye week, so everybody thought it was because maybe people were coming at us in different ways,” Mark Stoops told reporters on Thursday. “It really wasn’t about that. It was mentioned and I just simply had a conversation about what the expectations are, and if we’re truly going to go compete for the East, if we truly want to go win SEC championships, then are we truly going to continue to grow this program. It’s as simple as that, and we all have a big commitment to do that.

That commitment was nearly 100 percent financial. Mark Stoops and his staff need a new indoor facility, but also a bigger salary pool for both on-field coaches and support staff. As LSU pursued defensive coordinator Brad White, Kentucky needed to be able to counter with a similar financial package to keep him in Lexington. Off the field, Kentucky’s recruiting department needs more money and manpower to keep up with the Joneses in the SEC so days like Wednesday with a top-15 recruiting class can happen more often.

“Once we agreed on those things and the things you’re talking about, building out the program, building out the support, then it was a done deal. It was over with then,” said Stoops. “That’s why you saw the articles of when I’m talking with recruits, talking with a recruit’s parents and talking with Mitch, it was done.”

“One thing about working with somebody for nine years, going on ten, is that Dr. Capilouto, Mitch, and myself, I trust them. So when we have a conversation, we can have a handshake agreement. Now, agents don’t like that, but that’s — but I know people I can trust; know what I mean?”

Mark Stoops is represented by the biggest agent of all. Jimmy Sexton might be the most powerful man in college athletics. The super-agent is responsible for getting his high-powered clients paid and occasionally getting schools into a bidding war when there is no real reason to have one. However, Stoops wanted no part of that. The relationships in Lexington are healthy as the program is aligned with the administration.

“Jimmy is a Big Dog, but he still works for me; know what I mean? So when people give me a handshake agreement, I trust our president and our administration that it’ll get worked out, and so we moved on quickly,” said Stoops.

Kentucky football currently has alignment like never seen before. Administration and financial influencers that support the program believe in what Mark Stoops and his staff are building in Lexington. Meanwhile, the fanbase is all in as everyone is working toward the ultimate goal.

Win the SEC East and get to Atlanta for the SEC Championship.