Mark Stoops

Mark Thomas Stoops (born July 9, 1967) is an American college football coach and former player. He is the head football coach of the University of Kentucky football team. Stoops previously served as defensive coordinator at the University of Arizona from 2004 to 2009 and Florida State University from 2010 to 2012.

For the American politician in Indiana, see Mark Stoops (politician).
Mark Stoops
Stoops at Commonwealth Stadium in 2013
Current position
TitleHead coach
TeamKentucky
ConferenceSEC
Record49–50
Annual salary$4.75 million
Biographical details
Born (1967-07-09) July 9, 1967
Youngstown, Ohio
Playing career
1986–1988Iowa
Position(s)Defensive back
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1990–1991Iowa (GA)
1992–1995Nordonia HS (OH) (AD/DB)
1996South Florida (DB)
1997–1999Wyoming (DB)
2000Houston (co-DC/S)
2001–2003Miami (FL) (DB)
2004–2009Arizona (DC/DB)
2010–2012Florida State (DC/DB)
2013–presentKentucky
Head coaching record
Overall49–50
Bowls3–2
Accomplishments and honors
Awards
SEC Coach of the Year (2018)

Early life

Stoops, one of six children born to Ron and Evelyn "Dee Dee" Stoops, attended Cardinal Mooney High School in Youngstown, Ohio, where his father was an assistant coach and defensive coordinator.[1][2] He is the brother of former Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops and former Arizona head coach Mike Stoops, who also served as defensive coordinator for the University of Oklahoma until he was fired on October 7, 2018 after losing 48-45 to Texas.

After graduating from high school, Stoops played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes from 1986 to 1988.[3]

Coaching career

Stoops was a graduate assistant coach at Iowa from 1989 to 1991, and then became the athletic director and defensive backs coach at Nordonia High School in Macedonia, Ohio (1992–1995).[4][5]

In 1996, when Kansas State assistant Jim Leavitt was hired as the head coach for the South Florida Bulls, he hired Stoops as defensive backs coach.[4][6]

Stoops served as the defensive backs coach for the University of Wyoming Cowboys from 1997–1999.[7]

At Wyoming, Stoops served under head coach Dana Dimel. When Dimel was hired at the University of Houston, he took Stoops with him to join the Cougars as co-defensive coordinator (along with Dick Bumpas) and safeties coach in 2000.[8]

Miami (FL)

In February 2001, Stoops was named the defensive backs coach for the University of Miami Hurricanes, replacing Chuck Pagano, who left to go to the Cleveland Browns.[9]

Arizona

Mark's brother, Mike, was hired as the head coach of the Arizona Wildcats for the 2004 season. Mike then hired Mark as part of his staff.[10]

Florida State

On December 11, 2009, Stoops accepted the job as defensive coordinator at Florida State University.[11]

Kentucky

On November 27, 2012, Stoops was hired as the new head coach of the University of Kentucky football program, replacing former head coach Joker Phillips, who was fired after a 2–10 season. In Stoops' first season as the Kentucky Head coach, he went 2-10, followed by back to back 5-7 seasons.

After an 0–2 start to the 2016 season, Stoops led the Wildcats to a 7–3 finish after that start and defeated their in-state rival, the eleventh-ranked Louisville Cardinals. They lost in the Taxslayer Bowl to Georgia Tech.

The 2017 season featured ups and downs and the breakout of star running back Benny Snell. They finished 7-5, losing afterwards in the Music City Bowl to Northwestern.

The 2018 season was a historic one for the Wildcats. Paced by Snell on offense and Josh Allen on defense, they snapped a 31-year losing streak to Florida, finishing 9-3–only the fourth time in school history that the Wildcats have won at least nine games. Kentucky defeated Penn State in the Citrus Bowl on January, 1st, 2019 giving the Wildcats their first 10 win season since 1977, and only their third in school history. Stoops was named SEC Coach of the Year, the first time a Kentucky coach had won the award since Jerry Claiborne in 1983.

The 2019 season was one of overcoming adversity. After a 2-3 start in which they lost all of their Quarterbacks to injury, Kentucky turned to Wide Receiver Lynn Bowden Jr. to take over at QB. With a revamped offense, the Wildcats finished the Regular Season 7-5 routing Louisville 45-13 on Senior Day. Kentucky capped the season with a thrilling win over Virginia Tech in the Belk Bowl, as the Wildcats scored the winning touchdown with 15 seconds remaining for an 8-5 finish.

Notable Players

The following are players that Mark Stoops has coached as either a position Coach, defensive coordinator, or head coach:

Miami (FL)
  • Phillip Buchanon - Played 10 seasons in the NFL with 5 different teams, 2001 BCS National Champion.

All of the aforementioned players were first round NFL Draft picks.

Arizona
  • Antoine Cason - Former San Diego Chargers defensive back, 2008 first round NFL Draft pick, 2007 Jim Thorpe Award winner, 2007 consensus All-American

Florida State

Kentucky
  • Bud Dupree - Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker, 2015 first round NFL Draft pick
  • Benny Snell - Pittsburgh Steelers running back, Kentucky career rushing yards leader (3,873)

Personal life

Stoops is the younger brother of former Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops, former Oklahoma defensive coordinator and current Florida Atlantic assistant Mike Stoops, and Ron, Jr., the oldest of the brothers, who was an assistant coach at Youngstown State. Stoops and his wife Chantel have two sons, Will and Zach.[12] On January 4, 2021, the couple announce that they will be divorcing. [13]

Head coaching record
Year Team Overall ConferenceStanding Bowl/playoffs Coaches# AP°
Kentucky Wildcats (Southeastern Conference) (2013–present)
2013 Kentucky 2–100–87th (Eastern)
2014 Kentucky 5–72–66th (Eastern)
2015 Kentucky 5–72–6T–4th (Eastern)
2016 Kentucky 7–64–4T–2nd (Eastern) L TaxSlayer
2017 Kentucky 7–64–4T–3rd (Eastern) L Music City
2018 Kentucky 10–35–3T–2nd (Eastern) W Citrus1112
2019 Kentucky 8–53–5T–4th (Eastern) W Belk
2020 Kentucky 5–64–64th (Eastern)W Gator
Kentucky: 49–5024–42
Total:49–50

References
  1. Thamel, Pete (August 29, 2004). "A Family of Coaches Has Followed Its Leader". The New York Times. Manhattan, New York. Archived from the original on January 23, 2011. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
  2. Trotter, Jake. - "Stoops@10: Growing Up Youngstown - A symbol of Youngstown - Blue-collar roots, values define Stoops". - The Oklahoman. - August 19, 2008.
  3. 2007 Big Ten Media Guide. - p.93. - (*.PDF Adobe Acrobat document)
  4. Cotey, John C. - "USF hires its fourth assistant". - St. Petersburg Times. - January 24, 1996.
  5. Durrenberger, Charles. - "New Influences". - Arizona Daily Star. - April 17, 2004.
  6. Lutz, Bob. - Starting Team from Scratch Doesn't Faze Cats' Leavitt". - The Wichita Eagle. - December 29, 1995.
  7. Gagliardi, Robert. - "Football A Family Affair for Coaches". - Wyoming Tribune Eagle. - September 26, 1998.
  8. "Houston Cougars". - San Antonio Express-News. - August 20, 2000.
  9. Degan, Susan Miller. - "Canes Choose DB Coach". - Miami Herald. - February 28, 2001.
  10. Moredich, John. - "Mark Stoops joins UA as defensive coordinator". - Tucson Citizen. - December 1, 2003.
  11. "FSU hires Mark Stoops".
  12. Patton, Janet (February 21, 2013). "UK football coach Mark Stoops buys Beaumont house for $1.45 million". Lexington Herald-Leader. Archived from the original on November 28, 2018. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  13. Moore, Josh (January 4, 2021). "University of Kentucky football coach Mark Stoops and wife Chantel divorcing". Lexington Herald-Leader. Archived from the original on January 5, 2021. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
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