247Sports says Mark Stoops is the leading candidate for coach of the year

Mark Stoops and the Kentucky Wildcats are off to a 5-0 start on the year and ranked No. 14 in the Coaches Poll and No. 16 in the AP Poll. UK just took down the No. 10 Florida Gators at home for the first time since 1986 and have yet another sellout coming when the LSU Tigers head to town this weekend. Win that game, and you play Georgia in Athens for a spot in the SEC Championship.

Needless to say, things are going well for the program, and Stoops is to thank for that.

“The best coach in the program’s history.”

247Sports reporter Brandon Marcello writes a weekly column highlighting his takes on college football’s hottest storylines, upsets and trends. And this week, Mark Stoops was the key topic of conversation.

According to Marcello, Stoops is in the running for national coach of the year.

“Kentucky made the biggest jump in the polls while you were sleeping and coach Mark Stoops has made a case to be the national coach of the year,” he wrote. “… Stoops has recorded a slew of “firsts” as Kentucky’s coach over the last nine seasons and more will come this season.

“This was a game I had circled all week and had a difficult time picking,” he continued. “… The victory by the Wildcats, however, was not a surprise. Stoops is 2-2 against Florida in the last four seasons, a remarkable accomplishment considering the Gators’ 53-19 record against the Wildcats. Stoops is an unquestioned success leading the Wildcats, and soon he will be the best coach in the program’s history.”

Best coach in Kentucky football history? He’s already second in career wins at UK with 54, behind only Paul “Bear” Bryant (60). Stoops only needs seven more to top that number.

Kentucky’s got a good one. Time to keep on winning and making history.