At this point, Mark Stoops can’t really say anything that fans are going to find positive. Then again, is there anything he can say that fans will like?
Take this quote, with Stoops expressing his sentiment with the fans’ frustration, following Kentucky’s 56-34 loss to No. 17 Tennessee Saturday night.
“I understand it’s a results business, and the results have not been there. I’m frustrated, I hurt for our team. I hurt for the fans. The fans have every right to be frustrated, mad, whatever they feel.”
Mark Stoops on fan criticism and the pressure to right the ship:
“I understand it’s a results business, and the results have not been there. I’m frustrated, I hurt for our team. I hurt for the fans. The fans have every right to be frustrated, mad, whatever they feel.”
— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) October 26, 2025
Okay, great. Now, what is he going to do to help this team improve? Then again, there probably isn’t anything he can do.
That’s certainly the kind of defeatist mentality that comes with this quote about not being able to slow down the Vols’ offense.
Mark Stoops: “I don't want a million darts at me, I understand that's not acceptable, but it's a tough matchup for us right now. Let's just leave it at that.”
— Wyatt Huff (@Wildcat_wave) October 26, 2025
“I don’t want a million darts at me.” Well, maybe don’t lose 10 straight SEC games and 10 straight home SEC games. Maybe show you’re capable of executing end-of-half scenarios.
Oh, but it gets better.
Remember when Kentucky went for a two-point conversion following a third-quarter touchdown to cut the lead to 49-27? It made little sense, and Stoops even called it stupid. But he felt the need to do it because some form of analytics said he should.
The Kentucky offense went for a two-point conversion late in the 3rd quarter. Mark Stoops was asked the reasoning of it.
“That’s what the analytics book said (to do). I thought it was stupid too… That’s a stupid book.” pic.twitter.com/IT7Qp1zR1A
— Cats Coverage (@Cats_Coverage) October 26, 2025
“That’s what the analytic book said,” Stoops said. “I thought it was stupid too quite honestly. But that’s what the analytics book said. When I had time to reevaluate afterward, I said, Well, that’s a stupid book. But that’s what it said.”
Here’s a guy who put Kentucky football on the map and made them competitive. Now, this team is non-competitive. Tennessee ran right up and down the field against Kentucky Saturday night. The Wildcats’ offense was good, but the defense stood no chance against the Volunteers’ wide receivers, quarterback Joey Aguilar, and running back DeSean Bishop.
Fans are frustrated. The changes that need to be made are likely not in Mark Stoops’s hands. They’re likely in the hands of athletics director Mitch Barnhart, and Kentucky fans have very little faith in him making the right decision.
Be the first to comment