The Kentucky Wildcats' football team is sinking deeper into despair, with fans erupting in frustration after another crushing defeat. But is the solution as simple as axing the head coach, or are hidden layers beneath the surface making this a far more intricate puzzle? Let's dive into this week's mailbag, where the chatter isn't just about the game itself—it's about the future of the program, its leaders, and the tough choices ahead.
Yet another week brings another Kentucky football setback, this time a 35-14 drubbing at Georgia (as detailed in this report: https://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-football/article312381661.html), and the outcry from unhappy supporters is louder than ever. The atmosphere surrounding the UK football squad is deteriorating rapidly, and while that outcome in Athens wasn't a total shock, Mark Stoops' fiery defense against rumors of him eyeing an exit last year injected some unexpected drama into an otherwise dull day at Sanford Stadium. It's no wonder, then, that most of the inquiries flooding this week's mailbag revolve around those heated remarks rather than the on-field action.
As we head into Kentucky's second bye week of the season, here's a selection of those queries and viewpoints, unpacked for clarity.
From @RinoTrollCat on X: During the postgame presser, Stoops was grilled about the team's ongoing woes and shot back, 'You gotta have the right pieces in place. We’re not where we want to be, but we’re better than in recent past.' Does this reveal a major gap between his outlook and what everyone else is seeing?
This response followed a deeper probe into whether Stoops still thinks he can elevate the program back to its peak under his watch, especially as other SEC rivals have surged ahead. Stoops had earlier declared there was 'zero chance' he'd voluntarily leave UK, and he reiterated his confidence in turning things around, while admitting there's still plenty of groundwork needed. He added, 'We’re missing a few pieces, but we’ll keep on working.'
Looking back, one could argue that in 2022 and 2023, when Kentucky made bowl appearances but fell short of lofty preseason expectations, Stoops was somewhat a casualty of his own achievements. Supporters had grown weary of mediocre bowl games and craved bigger victories, whereas Stoops sought recognition for the challenge of building a winning culture from a program with scant historical triumphs—where even reaching bowls became routine. Yet, the past two seasons have dashed hopes for all involved, Stoops included.
But here's where it gets controversial: The more intriguing aspect of that statement might lie in its implications for team building. Kentucky's aggressive winter transfer portal shake-up (explored here: https://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-football/article311751503.html) has yielded better results than last year's additions, with standouts like Seth McGowan, Joshua Braun, David Gusta, and Kendrick Law shining brightly. However, many of these key players have just one year of eligibility left. No matter who leads next season, the Wildcats will likely need another robust transfer haul to patch the gaps for 2026. I'm eager to hear Stoops elaborate in the weeks ahead on how he plans to secure those essential components, especially after what looks like a probable second consecutive losing campaign.
William Brooks via email: '...Stoops has delivered winning football at UK with squads that often lacked the talent of other SEC teams. The path to consistent success isn't swapping coaches, but boosting recruiting and NIL funds for players who can compete in the SEC. Don't blame Stoops—think about whether UK is willing to allocate NIL money to football. Right now, Rupp Arena's basketball dominance still overshadows the athletic department!!'
This snippet is part of a lengthier message from William, echoing a common gripe that Kentucky has historically underfunded football due to the men's basketball program's prominence. There was a period when this was undeniably accurate, but it's harder to sustain that claim today. Kentucky compensates its football coach at $9 million annually, boasts cutting-edge facilities, and has greenlit substantial upgrades to the stadium and environs (as noted in this article: https://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-basketball-men/article308510150.html).
That said, William's point hits home in today's college sports landscape: none of these perks count if the NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) and revenue-sharing budgets aren't ample for assembling a competitive lineup. For beginners, NIL refers to the rights athletes have to earn money from endorsements, and revenue sharing is how schools distribute earnings from things like TV deals. Over the summer, there was plenty of buzz about how Kentucky divided its $20.5 million revenue-sharing pool (detailed here: https://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-football/article311121545.html) among men's basketball, football, and non-revenue sports, but the university has kept those figures under wraps. The men's basketball team almost certainly gets a bigger portion than at most power conference schools, which makes sense given its unmatched revenue generation. Stoops, when questioned about the split preseason, expressed assurance that his roster budget rivals the SEC's best.
Stoops was upbeat this summer that the NCAA's shift to direct athlete payments within the $20.5 million cap—ditching the unlimited NIL collectives of the past—would favor programs like Kentucky, which don't have the deep donor pockets of powerhouse schools. Still, not all historical hurdles are gone. Even with equal funding, top players might still gravitate toward perennial contenders. Kentucky could face the need to offer premium deals to attract elite talent, particularly on offense amid recent struggles, which might strain the budget and limit depth-building. And this is the part most people miss: Stoops believes the current squad is an upgrade from last year, but it still lacks that star-studded punch, possibly because the available funds are spread thinner across more players.
From @USNGoblin on Bluesky: Will media outlets pursue public records for the tracked compensation college athletes now receive through direct payments and the NCAA's new clearinghouse for third-party deals? Comparing UK's payouts to other schools would be eye-opening.
Sticking with the topic of revenue-sharing budgets, this is a spot-on observation. You can't fully evaluate a coach's effectiveness without knowing his team's cost compared to rivals. If Stoops operates on a leaner budget than the rest of the SEC, that should factor into his performance review—just as Mark Pope might face higher expectations if UK's men's basketball roster budget exceeds competitors'.
The snag? While the NCAA now mandates approval of all third-party NIL deals through its clearinghouse, public disclosure isn't required. Kentucky, along with several states, has crafted NIL laws that shield these agreements from open records requests. There's optimism that we'll eventually see breakdowns of revenue-sharing by sport per school, likely after the fiscal year ends. UK's leadership emphasizes flexibility, adjusting allocations based on seasonal needs, so those figures might not reveal much about future dynamics.
From @NoMoreLeaders on X: Regarding his refusal to field questions about his job, the whole situation is spiraling downward, so he can't just waltz up to the podium each week and repeat his usual lines.
From @RichMadKy on X: Him staring you down and declaring he won't touch that nonsense anymore is pure delusion. Keep probing—he's compensated for media duties, and this isn't a dictatorship.
Several inquiries circled back to this incident, so let me clarify my take on it.
I was the journalist who brought up Alan Cutler's report (available here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DPXEyVMCYYG/?hl=en). A source in the athletic department had assured me beforehand it was unfounded, but I wanted Stoops' official denial on record. I anticipated his firm rebuttal and had no qualms with his demeanor. The remark in question came after the following reporter started a query; Stoops interrupted, turned to me, and said, 'I don’t want to address that crap no more.'
In my view, he wasn't vowing to dodge all job-related questions. Rather, he meant he wouldn't entertain every fleeting social media rumor. Honestly, when Cutler's story surfaced, my first instinct was to disregard it—I don't typically react to other outlets' scoops—but its viral spread by game time made it unavoidable.
I'll strive for balance in my coverage, giving Stoops and fans equal consideration. That's why I leave room for the team to rebound and salvage this season. But if performance doesn't improve, his position will remain a necessary discussion point. I suspect he gets that.
From Greg Farris on X: Any thoughts on when basketball season kicks off?
From @KentuckyKroge on X: If that's the vibe, supporters should boycott games and pivot to basketball. See how fast Kentucky unlocks funding with just 15,000 fans next weekend. You can enjoy the match from home at less expense.
From Mark Shelby on X: Indifference. I skipped the game entirely—no attendance, no viewing.
This brings us to the program's looming hurdle: When does the outrage morph into the apathy Mark describes for most fans? In many respects, that's more damaging than mere dissatisfaction. The impending start of basketball season, with Pope's squad poised as a national powerhouse, will only amplify this shift.
Given that this year's season ticket sales (analyzed here: https://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-football/article312039885.html) didn't plummet as drastically as preseason fears suggested, I'm doubtful we'll witness the drastic attendance nosedives that pressured Mitch Barnhart to dismiss Joker Phillips in 2012—especially for the upcoming home contests, boosted by October's mild weather and the Keeneland races. Yet, I entertain the idea that fans redirecting energy to basketball might benefit football by reducing the constant negativity coaches and players endure.
The catch? Even in an ideal scenario where reduced scrutiny helps the team unite and perform better late in the year, if nobody notices the progress, it won't foster much backing for continuity.
From Ed Helinski on X: Honestly, if Mark Stoops gets the boot as head coach, who's a plausible successor, and what's the price tag?
With Stoops just emphatically stating he's not departing, speculating on replacements feels premature. But ignoring the talent pool fueling some change demands would be naive.
Former Kentucky player and assistant Jon Sumrall is 4-1 at Tulane, with victories over Northwestern and Duke, following a 9-5 campaign last year. Kentucky native Will Stein, a Louisville walk-on QB turned UK supporter (profiled here: https://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-football/article44125776.html), is orchestrating one of the nation's top offenses at Oregon. Both are poised for power conference head jobs this winter, and Kentucky could realistically land them. Fans should fret that delaying might cost UK these opportunities if the position doesn't open in December.
Still, thanks to football's enhanced funding and the widening financial divide in college sports, Kentucky should draw top candidates whenever the role becomes available. I'd be astonished if UK's next coach matches Stoops' current salary, but the investment must be hefty—adding to why the school can't afford his buyout now.
From Tim Robbins on Bluesky: Sack Mitch for handing Stoops and Cal the most coach-friendly deals ever. Axe Stoops and haggle his buyout. UK's the SEC's worst football outfit. Stoops can't adapt to modern NCAA rules and hasn't fielded a solid offense in over two seasons.
This echoes familiar territory, but it's worth noting the rising chorus holding Barnhart accountable too. Check out my piece from two years ago (during the Oakland fallout and Calipari firing calls) on those contract choices (linked here: https://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-football/article287289575.html#storylink=cpy)—it's ripe for a revisit. Our next Barnhart interview might come after the October Champions Blue Board of Governors meeting, and his updated take on football will be riveting.
What do you think, readers? Is Mark Stoops the right man to lead Kentucky football out of this rut, or is it time for a fresh start? And let's debate the elephant in the room: Does the basketball program's dominance unfairly starve football of resources, or is that just sour grapes from fans? Share your views in the comments—do you agree with William's take on NIL sharing, or do you side with Stoops' optimism? Your opinions could spark some heated discussions!
Jon Hale
Lexington Herald-Leader
(859) 414-6776
Jon Hale covers the University of Kentucky football beat for the Lexington Herald-Leader. He joined in 2022 but has reported on UK athletics for over a decade. Recognized as the 2021 Kentucky Sportswriter of the Year, he invites you to support his work via a digital subscription (https://mycheckout.kentucky.com/subscribe?ofrgpid=394&g2ioro=Event&g2iorp=Reporter&cid=newscta0.99-1mo-15.99-on-article202404).
