Stoops can move into second on UK's Career Win list Saturday

A win over Missouri would not only put Kentucky over .500 for the season, it would be an important milestone in Mark Stoops’ tenure in Lexington.

Over eight seasons, Stoops has 46 wins at Kentucky, which ranks third on the school’s all-time list. If the Cats beat Mizzou, he’ll move into a tie with Fran Curci (1973-1981) at No. 2. The top spot belongs to Bear Bryant (1946-53), who had 60 wins at Kentucky before leaving for Texas A&M. UK Athletics included a great rundown of Stoops’ place in the record books in this week’s game notes, so let’s take a look.

Most Career Wins By A Head Coach, School History

1. 60 Paul “Bear” Bryant (1946-53)
2. 47 Fran Curci (1973-81)
3. 46 Mark Stoops (2013-Present)
T4. 41 Jerry Claiborne (1982-89)
T4. 41 Blanton Collier (1954-61)
6. 39 Rich Brooks (2003-09)

Further, a win on Saturday would push Stoops ahead of Bryant on the Career SEC wins list. He needs three more to tie Fran Curci at No. 1 with 25.

Most Career SEC Wins By A Head Coach, School History

1. 25 Fran Curci (1973-1981)
T2. 22 Mark Stoops (2013-Present)
T2. 22 Paul “Bear” Bryant (1946-53)

Next Saturday vs. Georgia, Stoops can take sole possession of first place on the program’s Most Career Home Wins list.

Most Career Wins By A Head Coach at Kroger Field/Commonwealth Stadium, School History

1. 33 Mark Stoops (2013-present)
2. 32 Jerry Claiborne (1982-89)

Most Career Home Wins By A Head Coach, School History

T1. 33 Mark Stoops (2013-present)
T1. 33 Paul Bryant (1946-53)
3. 32 Jerry Claiborne (1982-89)
T4. 29 Fran Curci (1973-81)
T4. 29 Blanton Collier (1954-61)

If we’re really looking ahead, Stoops isn’t too far from first place on the Most Games Coached list.

Most Games by a Head Coach, School History

1. 100 Fran Curci (1973-81)
2. 92 Mark Stoops (2013-present)

If all of that doesn’t make you really appreciate Stoops, maybe this list of accomplishments will:

• First New Year’s Day bowl win since 1951 (2018)
• First 10-win season since 1977 (2018)
• First winning SEC record since 1977 (2018)
• First SEC Coach of the Year since 1983 (2018)
• First ranking in the final AP Poll since 1984 (2018)
• First bowl win since 2008 (2018)
• First win at Florida since 1979 (2018)
• First win at Tennessee since 1984 (2020)
• Ended 31-game losing streak to Florida (2018)

As Stoops would say, we’re just getting started, bro.