The Kentucky Wildcats have not been as successful as they would like over the past few seasons. Head coach Mark Stoops has been leading the team since 2013 and has only had two seasons with 10 wins or more. The 2024 season was a big step back for the Wildcats as they finished 4-8 and failed to qualify for a bowl game.
This has led to plenty of frustration in the Wildcats’ fan base. During a recent episode of “The Paul Finebaum Show,” analyst Paul Finebaum spoke about the program and how fans are getting tired of the coach.
“I get a lot of questions about this program,” Finebaum said. “I’ve tried to defend the coach, but fans are getting a little tired. No one really knows what to make of the Mark Stoops situation at Kentucky.”
Finebaum went on to express that he does not think that Stoops will be fired before the 2025 season. That report makes sense given the current timeline in the college football calendar. If a team wanted to make a coaching change for this coming season, they likely would have fired the coach months ago, rather than waiting until less than two months before the season.
However, Finebaum acknowledged that if the Wildcats have another subpar season, they might be forced to fire Stoops. The biggest problem for the team, if they want to get rid of Stoops, is his substantial buyout. According to a report from “A Sea of Blue,” if Stoops is fired after the 2025 season, his buyout will cost $37.5 million.
Additionally, another aspect of the buyout that could prove problematic is the third amendment in Stoops’ contract. It states that his buyout must be paid within 60 days of the notice to terminate. So, while yes, the Wildcats can fire Stoops, that is a huge amount for a team to pay in a short period.
Mark Stoops and the Kentucky Wildcats Have Not Won a Bowl Game in Three Seasons
The Kentucky Wildcats are trying to stay motivated for next season after a disastrous 2024. The Wildcats have been on the decline for the past three seasons, failing to win a bowl game since the 2021 season.
#MondayMotivation pic.twitter.com/TKz6zonzfT
— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) June 23, 2025
Before this three-year stretch, the Wildcats were in the midst of a strong stretch. They had won four bowl games in a row and appeared to be on the rise. However, after losing two straight bowl games, fans are growing frustrated following a 4-8 season. Without a quick turnaround in 2025, an expensive buyout could be the only thing saving Mark Stoops.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
