Mark Stoops stresses value of ‘blue-collar’ mentality at Kentucky football

Mark Stoops recognizes Kentucky is entering a pivotal 2025 season, and the SEC is as competitive as it’s ever been around his Wildcats team.

Last season was dismal in Lexington, as Kentucky limped to a 4-8 record with only one conference win on their resume. As Stoops and company look to bounce back in 2025, they’re focused on a blue-collar mentality to help change the narrative surrounding the team this coming season.

“I think it’s very important,” Stoops said, regarding the instillation of his team’s desired mentality, via his spring press conference. “You know, just again — being very upfront with them, be very clear, define exactly what we’re looking for, and hold them to those expectations, and them holding themselves to that, you know — to the standards that we set for them. They’re doing that. That’s all we could do, is attack each day.

“You could go back probably to my first press conference, and I’m saying these same things, right? But that doesn’t mean they’re always going to happen, right? We know the concentration, the focus, has to give back to making sure, you know, that we don’t sacrifice in any of these areas. You know, it’s a tough business we’re in. It’s a tough league. It’s gonna be a tough schedule. So, the only thing we can manage is the day to day, and attacking that day.

“I’ve talked about this before, if you look at it in entirety, there’s so much to do, but that’s good. That gives us a bunch of juice, a bunch of energy, that there’s so much to do today. Like, truly, you know, attacking that day. That’s kind of the excitement around the building and with the players of like, let’s be on it today. Let’s be 4th and 1 today. You know, just really ramp up the intensity.

“It can be overwhelming, of what needs to be done. But let’s just have that motivation day to day, and you know, I feel it in the building.”

All told, Kentucky will need more than simply adjusting their mentality to get back on track in 2025, but it’s certainly a start for the Wildcats. Who knows what the future holds for Stoops if his team disappoints again this season, but he’s not willing to wait around to find out.

Mark Stoops’ squad will have a shot to start their season off with a bang, as their first three games will come at home at Kroger Field in Lexington. It all begins on Aug. 30 against the Toledo Rockets, and it’ll be paramount that Kentucky makes a statement early and often in 2025.