Mark Stoops on the trajectory of Kentucky: 'We're not interested in just existing'

Mark Stoops has led the most successful era in the history of the Kentucky Football program. However, as college football and the conference around them continues to change, he and his team are anything but content with where they stand.

Stoops closed his opening statement from the podium during SEC Media Days on Thursday by discussing the direction of the Wildcats. Frankly, for all that they have achieved in the bluegrass, there’s still more out there for Kentucky to do on the field.

“We just want more,” said Stoops. “You know, I think I talked about it last year but where we’re at, the margin for error? We have to make the best of every situation.

“There’s been some consistency. I appreciate Greg just mentioning the fact we have been to eight straight bowl games,” Stoops noted. “There’s only eight teams in the country that have done that. I think only two in the SEC besides in Alabama and Georgia. Then of course Oklahoma who hasn’t been in the league but they’ve done it as well. That’s not nothing but we want to improve.”

Most are thrilled at the fact that Kentucky is 75-65 overall under Stoops, including 61-41 over the last eight years. That span also features a school record of those eight consecutive bowl berths.

Still, at this point, Stoops sees that as just treading water. The goal now is to thrive like some of the other brand names and do whatever is necessary to do so.

“That’s the message with the team ultimately,” said Stoops. “We’ve got to get better. We’ve got to find a way to make those plays in critical moments to push us over the top. We’re not interested in just existing. I’m not here, I’m not coaching, I’m not back for the 12 years just to exist. We want to find a way to improve, use these rules, whatever it is to make changes, to make that jump and get to the next level.”

That mission is only getting more difficult, though, in a 16-team version of the Southeastern Conference. If they’re going to do it, they’re going to have to continue to lean on what has gotten them this far, and on even more from here, from over his dozen years as head coach.

“It’s extremely challenging. I don’t have to tell you all that. You’ve been covering the SEC for a long time. It’s extremely challenging,” said Stoops. “It takes us individually, personally every day – everybody every day to do the little things to help us get to the next point. The other thing is we’re stronger together.

“Ultimately, every coach that gets up here, in some form or fashion, talks about the culture of our program – what we want, what we’re looking for, the unselfishness,” Stoops continued. “We know the world that we’re in. We all are getting used to it, we all are adapting to it but we want to be extremely demanding, we want selfless players, and we want to play better for each other.”

No one used to have any expectations of any kind for Kentucky. That’s no longer the case under Stoops, even in a league like the SEC.

Even so, Stoops and the Wildcats are not satisfied. They remain committed to their progression, including for this season with what they have in front of them.

“We want to enjoy going to work. I love this team, I love going to work. I love the challenge of this season and it’s going to be fun,” said Stoops. “Ultimately, that’s what we’re trying to do. I’m excited about it. Like I said, I’m not proud of the things we have done. We just want more.

“We want to continue to push and we’re excited about it. I feel like we have the pieces in place, the staff in place,” Stoops closed. “We’re motivated, excited, and we’re ready to roll.”