Mark Stoops explains why now was the right time for contract extension at Kentucky

With the coaching carousel heating up, Mark Stoops and Kentucky put questions about his availability to bed now that news of his new contract extension has become public. However, it was oddly timed considering the Wildcat’s recent slide. Still, Stoops said the timing of it didn’t matter because it was a commitment that everyone involved had already expressed beforehand.

Stoops spoke about the three-year extension during his press conference on Monday. While the timing was unfortunate, Stoops said it was important to get the deal done when they did so as to squash any rumors about his potential interest in other programs.

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“We made that commitment to each other a while ago. I kind of feel bad about the timing of it. But I told you last January that when Mitch and I and Dr. Capiluto make an agreement, we make an agreement,” said Stoops. “We have worked together so long. We have a great commitment to each other and a trust and belief in each other. This stability was important. Early in the season, there was a lot of noise. And I just simply said, ‘I’m committed to this, I’m not going anywhere, and I’m committed to this place.’ And vice versa.”

The extension will keep Stoops in Lexington through June 2031. It sets his salary at $9 million per season starting February 2023, which makes him the highest-paid coach on campus. The new deal also changed Stoops’ buyout from $1.75 million to $4.5 million. Finally, it added new bonuses based on postseason success too.

With openings like Auburn, Nebraska, and Wisconsin being available and maybe some more coming down the line, Stoops continued to stress the importance of wanting to show a commitment to Kentucky. He says he wants to remain at UK because of what he, the athletics department, and the university still believe they can accomplish.

“None of us can predict the future. So it was a commitment and I was appreciative. I know I’m committed here if that proves it to everybody so people will quit talking about things. I have been here a long time. But I’m committed to this place and have been. This is my home, this is a place that I’ve helped build to this point,” Stoops said. “Do we want more? Yes. I think we want to continue to grow. Dr. Capiluto expects more, Mitch expects more, and I do. I want to continue to build, continue to have the continuity, and I want to improve. There’s a lot of people that would like to have the stability that we have had. And there’s a lot of people that would, much like us, be driven to compete at higher levels as well.”

“I’m in season, I’m committed to my players, I’m committed to this place. And I’ve never strayed five minutes from that.”

If this season has shown anything, it’s that Stoops and Kentucky have their work cut out to continue competing in the SEC. With that said, Stoops remaining at the helm is the key to all of it. It’s now time for he and the Wildcats to finish strong and work toward the future with Stoops officially signed on.