Paul Finebaum calls Kentucky football one of the two worst programs in the SEC

Outspoken SEC analyst and longtime ESPN voice Paul Finebaum is never one to mince words, especially when it comes to college football’s powerhouse conference. But even by his standards, his latest comments about the University of Kentucky football program were especially biting.

In a recent appearance on ESPN Radio, Finebaum did not hold back when assessing the state of the Wildcats. “Right now, Kentucky is one of the two worst programs in the SEC,” he said bluntly. “They’ve gone from being a respected, up-and-coming team to completely irrelevant in just two seasons.”

It’s a stinging indictment of a team that, not long ago, was celebrated for shaking up the SEC status quo. So, what happened? How did Mark Stoops, the winningest coach in Kentucky football history, find himself and his program under such scrutiny?

Let’s take a closer look at how the Wildcats got here—and what might come next.

A Fall from Grace: Kentucky’s Recent Struggles

The 2024 season was, in a word, disastrous for Kentucky. The team finished 4–8, marking its worst campaign since 2013—Stoops’ first season at the helm.

They ended the year losing six of their final seven games, with no wins against FBS opponents after September. Only a stunning upset at Ole Miss kept the season from being a total wash. Finebaum wasn’t impressed, calling the campaign “miserable” and saying Kentucky looked like “a team that gave up.”

The regression is stark. Just a few years ago, Stoops had built a reputation as one of the most underrated coaches in the SEC. He led Kentucky to four straight bowl wins from 2018 to 2021 and helped the program earn national credibility. They weren’t Alabama or Georgia, but they were no longer a pushover either.

Now? That momentum has all but disappeared.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

Kentucky’s performance in 2024 wasn’t just bad by SEC standards—it was bad, period.

• Record: 4–8
• SEC Wins: Just 1
• Points Per Game (Offense): 21.1 (ranked near bottom in SEC)
• Points Allowed Per Game: 31.4
• Turnover Margin: -7

Perhaps more troubling than the statistics is the optics. Multiple games saw Kentucky fade down the stretch, showing poor execution, discipline issues, and questionable play-calling. In a loss to Louisville, Finebaum noted on his show, “They looked like they didn’t want to be there. It was an embarrassment.”

Stoops’ Seat Getting Warmer?

For years, Mark Stoops was considered untouchable in Lexington. He brought stability and success to a program long seen as a basketball school with a football hobby. But even the most loyal fanbases have a breaking point.

Online chatter has grown louder, and calls for change have intensified. Many believe that if Stoops were to leave—voluntarily or otherwise—he’d be replaced by Jon Sumrall, the former Kentucky assistant now thriving as Tulane’s head coach. The name has popped up repeatedly in UK circles as a potential successor.

To be clear, Stoops still has plenty of support, particularly from boosters who appreciate how far he brought the program. But make no mistake: the tide is shifting. Finebaum’s comments may reflect a wider sentiment in the college football media—that Kentucky needs to reset.

Finebaum’s Track Record: Harsh but Often Accurate

Paul Finebaum is divisive. He’s known for stirring the pot, especially when SEC football is involved. But he also has a track record of being brutally correct when it comes to diagnosing long-term problems in programs.

He saw the cracks at Auburn years before the Bryan Harsin collapse. He predicted the downfall of Florida under Dan Mullen. And now, he’s turning that focus to Kentucky.

His assessment may sound harsh, but it reflects a growing perception that Kentucky has plateaued—and might be slipping backward fast.

What Went Wrong?

Several factors have contributed to Kentucky’s current woes:

1. Poor Offensive Identity

Despite bringing in transfers at quarterback and wide receiver, Kentucky’s offense failed to find rhythm. The play-calling was conservative, predictable, and inefficient.

2. Recruiting Stalls

While Stoops had great early success with in-state talent and three-star overachievers, recent classes have failed to meet expectations—particularly in key SEC recruiting battles.

3. NIL and Portal Challenges

Kentucky has not adapted as quickly to the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) era or the transfer portal as programs like Tennessee and Missouri. Several key players transferred out, while others underperformed after transferring in.

4. Cultural Drift

Insiders suggest the program has lost some of its “blue-collar” identity. The toughness and chip-on-the-shoulder attitude that defined Stoops’ early teams has faded.

Not Just Kentucky: SEC’s New Reality

It’s worth noting that Kentucky’s slide isn’t happening in a vacuum. The SEC is only getting more competitive. With Texas and Oklahoma joining in 2024, the level of week-to-week difficulty has skyrocketed.

Teams like Missouri and Ole Miss have surged. Even Vanderbilt showed flashes of competence this season. If you’re not adapting and improving constantly, you’re falling behind.

That’s Finebaum’s larger point: “In this SEC, you can’t just stay still. If you’re not evolving, you’re dying. And right now, Kentucky is flatlining.”

Can Kentucky Bounce Back?

All is not lost for Kentucky—but the road back to relevance won’t be easy.

Steps They Must Take:

• Offensive Overhaul: A new offensive coordinator and modern scheme are badly needed.
• NIL Investment: Kentucky must ramp up support for NIL deals to retain and attract top talent.
• Recruiting Wins: The Wildcats need a few high-profile commitments to reenergize the fan base.
• Leadership Reset: Whether or not Stoops remains, the locker room needs fresh energy and accountability.

The 2025 season will be pivotal. Stoops will need a winning record—and likely a bowl appearance—to silence critics and keep his job secure.

Fan Reactions: Frustrated but Hopeful

The Big Blue Nation is passionate, loyal, and proud. But right now, many fans feel deflated. The basketball program is undergoing its own transition under new head coach Mark Pope, and there was hope football could be a unifying force.

Instead, it’s become a sore subject.

“We’ve seen what this program can be,” said longtime UK fan Ryan Jeffers of Lexington. “We’re not expecting national titles. But we can’t be getting blown out in November by mid-tier SEC teams. That’s not who we are.”

Still, there’s hope that the ship can be righted. Stoops has done it before. Now he has to prove he can do it again.

Paul Finebaum’s criticism may sting, but it’s forcing a necessary conversation in Kentucky. After a decade of slow, steady progress, the Wildcats have hit a wall—and possibly begun a slide.

Is this a bump in the road or a sign that the Stoops era is nearing its end?

The answer will depend on what happens next—starting with a critical offseason and a must-win 2025 campaign.

One thing is certain: Finebaum’s not alone in thinking Kentucky football is in crisis. And if changes aren’t made soon, his words may prove to be more than just a hot take—they could be the epitaph for a once-promising era.