Mark Stoops takes responsibility for Kentucky's struggles responding to tough situations in 2022

Expectations were high at Kentucky last season after a 10-3 record in 2021. The Wildcats had highly touted quarterback Will Levis returning, and it had the makings for a special year.

Instead, Kentucky finished 7-6 and got shut out in the Music City Bowl. It wasn’t the year BBN might have expected, and Mark Stoops took responsibility for some of those shortcomings.

Stoops joined Paul Finebaum at SEC Media Days on Wednesday and talked about some of the struggles in 2022. He said he saw things he didn’t like, and he said those fell on his shoulders.

“I think for myself, it’s always, you know, you look at things,” Stoops said. “There were things last year that I wasn’t very proud of. There’s times when every one of us could say, ‘Well, a play here, a play there, what if.’ We all have that every year. But last year, I felt like for the first time in a while, there were some situations that happened and I didn’t really like the way we responded to.

“You might have a tough loss and I don’t like the way we responded the following week. That’s on me. And you have to look at that and you have to change that for whatever reason, however it happened. But those are on the head coach.”

Kentucky underwent some changes this offseason, none bigger than at offensive coordinator. Liam Coen is back in the role he held in 2021 when the Wildcats averaged 32.3 points per game and Jay Boulware is the new special teams coordinator. Those additions blend old and new faces with Brad White back as defensive coordinator, as well.

Stoops said those hires could help fix some of last year’s struggles. He added that rolling with the changes is key if a coach wants to have long-term success.

“There’s some big picture things, scheme things,” Stoops said. “Obviously, with the offensive coordinator, bringing Liam back, it is what it is. And then, defensively, I love the continuity we have. Brad White is one of the best in the business and we’ve got some great defensive coaches. So things are in place. But I also needed to address special teams, and I have in hiring Jay Boulware, a guy wanted on my staff for some time. I love the command that he has and the detail and the work.

“And that’s on me, you know what I mean? And so, you know, I feel like we’ve addressed some some areas. You can’t stay stagnant and you’d better be willing to make some hard decisions and make some changes or you’re not gonna be around very long.”