The 2024 college football season proved to be a major letdown for several teams, including the Kentucky Wildcats. After a mediocre 7-6 record in 2023, the Wildcats regressed further, finishing 4-8 this season—their worst performance under head coach Mark Stoops since his debut year in 2013, when the team went 2-10. Despite being Kentucky’s all-time winningest coach and leading the program to two of its four 10-win seasons, Stoops is now facing growing scrutiny.
During an appearance on *The Paul Finebaum Show*, SEC Network analyst Paul Finebaum pointed out the struggles of the Wildcats over the past two seasons, suggesting that Stoops’ job security could be at risk if the team doesn’t turn things around soon. “Stoops’ last two years have been pretty weak,” Finebaum said. “Everyone appreciates what he’s done, but at some point, you can’t just keep relying on what you used to do.” Finebaum speculated that Stoops is counting on the continued support of university president Eli Capilouto and athletic director Mitch Barnhart, but he questioned how long that backing will last.
Finebaum drew a parallel to Mack Brown’s recent dismissal at North Carolina, noting that even coaches who believe they have institutional support can find themselves out of a job if results don’t improve. “University presidents and athletic directors will only remain supportive for a limited time,” Finebaum warned. With Kentucky set to open the 2025 season against Toledo on August 30, Stoops is under mounting pressure to deliver a turnaround and silence the doubters.
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