Evelyn "Dee Dee" Stoops, mother of Mark and Mike, has died

Evelyn Stoops, the mother of Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops and Kentucky linebacker coach Mike Stoops, has passed away.

UK Football posted a tribute online to Evelyn, who passed this morning at the age of 88. Mike Stoops broke the news through social media on Wednesday afternoon. Below is his full statement:

“My family’s hearts are especially heavy today, as my mom, Evelyn “Dee Dee” Stoops has been reunited with her Lord and Savior and my dad, Ron Stoops, Sr.

“She was a faithful Catholic, a spiritual leader and a joyful Irish lady. She was also, the best cheerleader and motivator.

“She was the heart of our family and a constant inspiration o all of us. We are blessed with a multitude of wonderful memories and so appreciative to all of you keeping all of us – my brothers, sisters and their families in your thoughts and prayers.

“We love you always, mom!”

@Mike_Stoops41 via X/Twitter

pic.twitter.com/mVz5Mm6J2N

— Mike Stoops (@Mike_Stoops41) October 23, 2024

Evelyn was the matriarch of a football-loving family that included six children. She was married to the late Ron Stoops Sr., who passed away unexpectedly over 30 years ago at the age of 54. Four of her children — Mark, Bob, Mike, and Ron Jr. — all went on to have coaching jobs in college football. Mark has been Kentucky’s head coach since 2012.

During his weekly teleconference call on Wednesday afternoon, shortly after Evelyn’s death was made public, Mark briefly spoke about his mother.

“My mother was a very special person to me and to so many people,” he said. “And much like my father, she was the type of person who had a great impact on everybody she met in her life, and certainly her family. My father died when I was relatively young, when I was in college, and my mother has been a rock to all of us, a very special woman.

“She passed peacefully this morning. We had been anticipating it probably since last Friday. She passed peacefully at home with my other brothers and sisters by her side. And so, you know, if I know my mom, she would be telling me to do what I’m doing, get my butt back to work and help try to make this team better.”

Our thoughts and condolences go out to the entire Stoops family.