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Mark Stoops considers whether Kentucky achieved what he wanted during spring

IMG_6598by:Nick Kosko•04/13/23•

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(Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)

Mark Stoops said Kentucky’s spring practice period was not an end-all-be-all for the football program, when it comes to achievements.

After winning 10 games in 2021, Kentucky took a step back and went 7-6 last year, losing the Music City Bowl to end the season. But with new quarterback and NC State transfer Devin Leary under center, there’s reason to believe the Wildcats can make noise in the SEC East again.

But don’t tell that to Stoops this early in the offseason.

“That’s a pretty broad statement,” Stoops said in response to if Kentucky achieved what he wanted during spring. “I mean I was open about it, you know, I told ya’s I think overall mentality, whatever you want to call it, however you define, that hunger, the way you go about your business with an attitude with an edge with a chip on your shoulder, you know, this game is meant to be played that way. You can’t just roll out there and go through the motions. I’m not saying our team did that all the time. You know, there’s things we all can do better. 

“We’ve all talked about those things. That’s on all of us, starting with the all the way down. And that’s not just lip service, you’ve got to look at every part of the organization and see where we’re falling short. We’ve always done that in good times. You know, we try to continue to build on the good things we’re doing in the areas where we felt like we’re doing better, address it and get better. There’s several parts of that and I think a mentality of being physical is part of that.”

Heck, Stoops said there was no offensive leader as of March 25.

“I don’t see any right now,” Stoops said earlier in spring practice.

Former quarterback Will Levis helped cure a lot of ills with his dedication and hard work. Now that he’s gone, though, Kentucky has to have other players step up.

Stoops would like to have a team that, with an offensive leader, can hum right along with minimal input from the coaches. Right now that’s not happening, tying his hands.

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“I don’t know. Obviously not,” Stoops said when asked if his players are taking charge. “I’d like to be a player-led team, but we’re not. So we’ve got to step in. We as a coaching staff better lead because this group can’t.”