Barring an unforeseen cataclysm, Mark Stoops will make University of Kentucky sports history in 2022. When UK kicks off its season Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. vs. Miami (Ohio) at Kroger Field, Stoops will set a new longevity record for a Kentucky head football coach by commencing a 10th season on the Wildcats sideline.
Whenever Kentucky gives its head man (59-53 since 2013) his second victory of 2022, it will move Stoops past Paul “Bear” Bryant (60-23-5 from 1946 through 1953) as UK’s all-time wins leader.
“The 10 years in Lexington is something that I am proud of, because I know how difficult it is,” Stoops said last month at SEC Football Media Days in Atlanta. “I know how difficult it is to walk into this league with the great coaching, with the recruiting and starting 6 feet below 14 (meaning last in the league), then try to climb the ladder as high as we can.”
