Sunday Headlines: Mark Stoops Hot Seat Talk

Will we hear something today about Mark Stoops’ future at Kentucky?

It remains uncertain, but what is certain is that Stoops’ seat is blazing hot, most notably amongst the Big Blue Nation. Will that result in a change at the top for Kentucky Football? It doesn’t seem likely, but who knows.

The last two performances against Louisville are entirely unacceptable. Last year was bad enough, losing 41-14 at home to the Cards, but this year was even worse. Any goodwill that was built up by defeating Auburn and Florida has completely gone by the wayside with the way this team has performed the last two weeks of the season.

Which begs the question: should Mark Stoops be the coach at Kentucky next season?

For most fans, it seems like that answer is no, and understandably so. In non garbage-time gameplay over the last two weeks, Kentucky was outscored 86-3 by Vanderbilt and Louisville. That’s not to mention being absolutely handled by Tennessee and South Carolina, and making critical mistakes in losses to Ole Miss and Texas.

It’s hard to see how the program could get fans on board for a Year 14 with Mark Stoops with the way the last two years have played out.

But the flip side of the equation is the money, the most significant factor of all. Where is the $37 million buyout payment coming from? Add in the reports that Kentucky AD Mitch Barnhart is planning to retire soon, and the questions about who would be involved with a coaching search, and you have a situation with no clarity and no good answers.

It’s absolutely unacceptable that the program is in this situation, and that falls on the leadership. UK should have never agreed to a contract that puts them into such a deep hole when it comes to making a decision on whether to fire or keep a coach.

But nonetheless, here we are and now we wait, while the temperature of Stoops’ seat continues to rise.

Tweet of the Day

Yep…

Headlines

Does Kentucky have a path to hiring a new football coach? – Herald Leader

Hard to see it right now.

UK Football is in big trouble – Vaughts Views

Not good… not good at all.

UK can’t run this back as is – KSR

Strong words.

What is Lane Kiffin going to do? – Yahoo

Lane Watch continues…

Belichick finishes season 4-8 – NBC Sports

Not an ideal season for Belichick.

Virginia to take on Duke in ACC title game – ESPN

You would be a rich person if you placed a bet for this ACC title matchup.

Week 14 winners and losers – Bleacher Report

A lot of interesting storylines from Week 14.

Projecting the College Football Playoff field – CBS Sports

How many SEC teams will take the field?

More winners and losers from Week 14 – SI

Miami continues to make its case.