Mark Stoops explains what it meant to break Bear Bryant's Kentucky win record on the road

Mark Stoops made history Saturday night against the Florida Gators. He first took the highest-ranked Kentucky team that he’s ever taken down to Gainesville over the weekend. With the 26-16 victory, though, Stoops became Kentucky football’s all-time winningest coach with 61 wins.

Stoops talked about what the record meant to him in his postgame presser. While it would’ve been great to do it in Kroger Field, he says it meant that much more to do it in The Swamp because his team needed the win on Saturday.

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“I’m glad it’s here,” said Stoops. “I’d like to be at home with the fans and my family, friends and all that but it’s okay. There’s time for that. We needed this win.”

It meant even more because of what Ben Hill Griffin Stadium has meant to him over his career in Lexington. He won for the first time at Florida in 2018 with a victory that snapped a 31-game losing streak. It was also at the start of his first 10-win season at Kentucky.

However, passing a legend like Bear Bryant is enormous regardless of where it happened. It speaks volumes about the consistency Stoops has instilled into the program with six straight bowl game appearances. To Stoops, though, he credits everyone involved with getting him to this point. He said it takes a village and, from the staff and the administration, they’ve helped him bring the program to where it is today.

“I’m just appreciative to get this opportunity. The great coaches that have been here, way back here starting in 2013. The commitment from Mitch (Barnhart), Dr. Capiluto, the people. It’s been a group effort,” said Stoops. “You can’t do this, win that many games, or stay in this conference that long without a lot of people doing a lot of good things and being committed to what we’re trying to achieve. I just really greatly appreciate all the past coaches from the dog days early on until now.”

With that said, Mark Stoops ended by giving plenty of credit to his players. The football team has come a long way since his 2-10 debut season in 2013. With the AP Poll ranking the Wildcats four of the last five seasons, Stoops and his players have taken the program to all new heights in the modern era. It’s made it a heck of a ride for Stoops and one he appreciates more than anything.

“There’s been a bunch of really good people and great players. Such appreciation for the players, all the way back to 2013 until now. I love each and every one of them. It’s been really fun.”