Payton Titus, Louisville Courier JournalMon, December 1, 2025 at 3:24 AM UTC·3 min readMark Stoops will not return to coach Kentucky football in 2026, according to reports.
The decision to fire Stoops came after back-to-back sub .500 seasons, both of which ended with several-score losses to archrival Louisville (41-14 in 2024, and 41-0 in 2025). His buyout is sizeable, and according to On3, both sides are negotiating when to pay how much.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHere's what to know about Stoops' contract with Kentucky, including his buyout and benefits package.
What is Kentucky football coach Mark Stoops' salary?
Since signing with UK in November 2012, Stoops has become one of college football's highest-paid employees. He ranks No. 13 in the nation, according to the USA TODAY coaches salary database, and No. 8 in the SEC (behind Georgia's Kirby Smart, Texas' Steve Sarkisian, Alabama's Kalen DeBoer, former LSU coach Brian Kelly, Ole Miss' Lane Kiffin, Missouri's Eli Drinkwitz and Tennessee's Josh Heupel). Stoops receives $9 million annually from Kentucky, with $400,000 attributed to his base salary and the other $8.6 million coming from his participation in media programs and endorsements.
How long is Mark Stoops' deal with Kentucky?
Stoops started with UK in 2013, and his current contract is set to expire in June 2031 after he signed an extension in 2022.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWhat is Mark Stoops' buyout?
By firing Stoops, UK owes him 75% of his remaining salary for the rest of his contract term within 60 days, according to according to an amendment made to his contract in 2017. That 75% amounts to about $37.69 million, as of Dec. 1, 2025, which ranks No. 5 in the SEC.
How many years has Mark Stoops been at Kentucky?
This is Year 13 for Stoops with the Wildcats.
What is Mark Stoops' worst finish with Kentucky?
UK went 2-10 in Stoops' first season at the helm (2013).
What is Mark Stoops' record in UofL-UK rivalry?
After losing to UofL on Saturday, Stoops is now 6-6 versus the Cards.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWhat other bonuses could Stoops get from UK?
Stoops could receive up to $100,000 in any academic year if the team maintains a GPA of at least 2.75 and an additional $50,000 if the team achieves an academic progress rate of 0.975 or higher.
Additional benefits outlined in Stoops' contract include:
Two late-model, quality automobiles for his "official and personal use," and "business mileage" reimbursement;
"Standard" Benefits, including a health plan, life insurance, dental insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, long-term disability;
Sixteen free tickets regular season stadium football tickets for home games; Subject to athletics director approval, a box of 14 seats; at least four free basketball tickets for every home game;
A retirement plan where the university contributes 10% of annual base salary, while Stoops contributes 5%;
Vacation leave, subject to athletics director approval;
A membership to a local golf and country club of Stoops' choice in addition to a membership at the University Club;
And up to 30 hours of private aircraft use for personal travel each year, and up to 15 unused hours can accrue and roll over for the next year.
Reach college sports enterprise reporter Payton Titus at [email protected] and follow her on X @petitus25. Subscribe to her "Full-court Press" newsletter here for a behind-the-scenes look at how college sports' biggest stories are impacting Louisville and Kentucky athletics.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Mark Stoops buyout, how much does Kentucky football coach get from UK
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