Stoops on Marrow to Louisville: Water under the bridge but going for the throat

Mark Stoops joined KSR for a segment on Friday’s show, live from Kentucky Football Media Day. There was a ton to discuss with Stoops during the Wildcats’ first week of training camp, but only a short allotted time, as the show was up against a hard break and the team’s official photo shoot awaited its head coach in the stands at Kroger Field.

Still, Stoops sat with KSR for rapid-fire questioning during his busy morning, including on the subject of the Big Dog.

Matt Jones asked about Stoops’ right-hand man, Vince Marrow, leaving his side after 12 years on Kentucky’s sideline for rival Louisville, of all places. Admittedly, Stoops was surprised by the summer departure of his longtime assistant coach, who Stoops named his associate head coach before the 2019 season.

“Definitely surprised,” Stoops told KSR. “But as I mentioned, you know, that’s water under the bridge. Vince and I are good. You know, there’s never an easy way to tell somebody you’ve been with for 12 years that you’re going to leave. That’s just not easy to do. And so there’s no hard feelings there.”

Stoops understood that Marrow did what Marrow thought was best for him, adding that everyone has to look out for themselves.

“He’s in a role off the field that, maybe, suits him better right now as he moves forward for the next 12 years. Who knows? But I thank him for what he’s done, there’s no hard feelings, and we moved right on. That’s just it.”

Governor’s Cup rivals

The water may be under the bridge in their relationship, but Stoops and Marrow are now rivals on the field. It’s why Marrow’s move was so shocking. He left his longtime friend for the rival team that Kentucky plays on the last Saturday of the regular season, Thanksgiving weekend.

When Matt Jones asked, “You’re beating him in November, right?” Stoops smiled and replied,
Without question. We’re going for the throat.”