Mark Stoops Grateful for Kentucky Football Job, Acknowledges Basketball’s Legacy Must Remain Elite to Maintain University’s National Prestige

University of Kentucky head football coach Mark Stoops has been a steady force for the Wildcats football program since 2013. In a sport dominated by rapid coaching changes and intense pressure from fanbases, Stoops has built one of the SEC’s most consistent programs outside the traditional powerhouses. Yet in a recent conversation with reporters, Stoops made clear that while he deeply values his role at Kentucky, he also understands and supports the essential prominence of the school’s basketball program.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead this football program,” Stoops said. “But this is the University of Kentucky — basketball is part of the lifeblood here, and it has to stay elite.”

His comments come amid ongoing conversations surrounding Kentucky athletics as both major sports programs navigate a new era of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals, the transfer portal, and increasing expectations from fans, donors, and university leadership.

Stoops’ Steady Rise in the SEC

When Stoops arrived in Lexington in 2013, Kentucky was largely considered a basketball-first school with a football team that struggled to compete in the rugged SEC. The Wildcats hadn’t had a 10-win season since 1977. Fast forward to 2025, and Stoops has guided Kentucky to multiple bowl wins, developed NFL-caliber talent, and given fans a reason to fill Kroger Field every fall.

He’s the winningest coach in Kentucky football history, passing Paul “Bear” Bryant in 2021, and has cemented the program as a steady force. While the Wildcats haven’t yet cracked the SEC Championship game, Stoops’ teams have beaten traditional conference giants, recruited at higher levels, and developed a culture built on toughness and blue-collar identity.

“Football has grown so much here,” Stoops said. “It’s taken a lot of work, support from the administration, and belief from our players. But the goal is to keep climbing.”

Respect for Basketball’s Dominance

Despite his own success, Stoops has always shown respect for the university’s basketball tradition. Kentucky basketball has eight national championships and a fanbase that spans generations. With the recent departure of longtime head coach John Calipari to Arkansas and the hiring of Mark Pope as his replacement, the basketball program is entering a new chapter.

Stoops weighed in on the importance of the hire, saying:

“Basketball sets the tone for this university in a lot of ways. You can’t be Kentucky without elite basketball. Coach Pope understands that. I’ve met him, and he’s passionate. I’m excited to watch him build something special.”

The football coach’s comments reflect a shared understanding in the athletics department: While football has grown, basketball remains the flagship program — a truth that impacts everything from recruiting to donor contributions to national perception.

The Stoops-Calipari Dynamic: Real or Overblown?

In 2022, a public spat between Stoops and then-basketball coach John Calipari went viral. Calipari had referred to Kentucky as a “basketball school” while pushing for new basketball facilities. Stoops responded on Twitter, saying, “Basketball school? I thought we competed in the SEC too.”

The moment led to media-fueled rumors of internal tension between the two high-profile coaches. However, over time, both sides smoothed things over, and Stoops has since reflected on the incident with a touch of humility.

“Things get emotional when you’re passionate about your programs,” Stoops said. “But at the end of the day, we were both pushing for excellence. We just took different routes to get there.”

With Calipari gone and Pope now at the helm, Stoops says the transition offers a clean slate and a chance to unify the athletic department further.

NIL and Shared Responsibility

Both Kentucky football and basketball now face the same modern challenges: navigating the complexities of NIL and retaining top-tier talent in a volatile transfer era. Stoops emphasized the need for collaboration between both programs to ensure mutual success.

“We’re all in the same fight now. NIL has changed the game for everyone. It’s not football versus basketball — it’s Kentucky versus everybody,” Stoops explained.

He praised the university’s investment in athlete support and urged boosters and fans to see the bigger picture.

“If we’re going to win championships — in any sport — we need to be aligned. That means facilities, resources, and support for both football and basketball.”

Building a Holistic Athletic Identity

Stoops’ comments also hint at a broader vision for Kentucky athletics — one in which football and basketball are complementary cornerstones of a thriving sports culture.

“Look at places like Georgia, Alabama, even Florida State recently,” he said. “They’ve proven you can be elite in multiple sports. That’s the model. Kentucky can do it too.”

This echoes what Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart has long maintained: success in all sports elevates the university’s national profile and enriches the student-athlete experience.

A Future Rooted in Tradition and Progress

As he prepares for his 13th season at the helm of Kentucky football, Stoops remains grounded in gratitude but forward-looking in purpose. He believes in the culture he’s built but understands the pressure to keep improving. And he knows that for Kentucky to flourish, basketball must stay elite — not out of rivalry, but out of respect for what it represents.

“There’s something special about wearing the Kentucky blue, whether you’re on the hardwood or the gridiron,” Stoops said. “It carries weight, and we all have a duty to honor that.”

While his comments may seem like simple praise for the university’s basketball tradition, they also offer a glimpse into how he views his role. Stoops isn’t trying to compete with basketball. Instead, he wants to raise football’s profile without dimming the basketball spotlight.

Mark Stoops’ acknowledgment of basketball’s central role in Kentucky’s identity isn’t a surrender — it’s a show of solidarity. It’s a reminder that success at Kentucky is a team effort across departments and sports. His gratitude for the football opportunity and his respect for the basketball program reveal the kind of leadership that sustains long-term success.

With Mark Pope now leading Kentucky basketball and Stoops still pushing football to new heights, the Wildcats have a chance to re-establish themselves as a dominant force in both sports — united under a shared banner of excellence.

As Stoops summed it up:

“We’re not just trying to win games. We’re building a culture of champions. And that means respecting what’s been done before us — and doing our part to raise the bar.”