Mark Stoops makes it clear he has no beef with Shane Beamer

Kentucky and South Carolina aren’t traditional rivals. There is not a trophy awarded to the victors. The two do not share or a border or a similar recruiting territory. Yet in the final year of the SEC East, this might be the only annual game that is preserved in the new 16-team conference and there does not appear to be much affection at all between Mark Stoops and Shane Beamer.

The genesis of this competition between the two SEC coaches was at last year’s SEC Media Days. Ahead of the event, Beamer took centerstage in a video where he was rocking sunglasses and singing Soulja Boy. During an interview with Marty and McGee, the Kentucky head coach appeared to take a shot at the South Carolina coach.

“I’ve talked years and years ago about climate vs. culture. It’s easy to change a climate,” Stoops said. “You just change a uniform, talk a little game, dance around, put on some stupid sunglasses, and you can change a climate. But to change a culture is at the core. I’m quite certain we’ve changed our culture.”

Even though Stoops denied those comments were a shot at South Carolina, Beamer took that personally. Following a win at Kroger Field, Beamer brought out a pair of sunglasses in the locker room celebration.

Today Stoops was asked if there is any residual animosity between him and Beamer. He denied it.

“I have no idea where you would get that information from. I have no clue where that would come (from),” said Stoops. “Absolutely — I mean, I don’t feel that way. Maybe he does. I don’t know you have to ask him. I don’t feel that at all. It’s another game and we need it for our university, for our players. It’s zero to do with me and Shane.”

Really, Mark? No idea how people would read between the lines?

The Kentucky head coach is among the many coaches who claim they don’t read what their critics are saying online. Stoops took it a step farther during Monday’s press conference.

“About six months ago or five months, I don’t know, I got a new phone. I don’t know how to work it no more. I don’t, I swear I don’t.”

He may not know how it works, but I’m pretty sure he knows that Twitter underwent a rebrand.

“I don’t know how to work X so it’s kind of a good thing for me. I don’t see a damn thing. So I just got this (Apple Watch) because I had to make sure my ticker was working right last week. But I don’t know how to use that, so I really don’t pay no mind to it.”

Stoops added, “It’s competitive each and every week… I don’t get too high, too low. I don’t have any personal, you know what I mean? There’s nothing personal to me. It’s about our university, our institution, our players, our fans. You know, we’re working really hard to put them in a position and when and I think you know, everybody’s like that.”

Kentucky and South Carolina will take the field at Williams-Brice Stadium for a 7:30 pm kickoff on the SEC Network.

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Stoops Thanks the Big Blue Nation

Kentucky still has two more games left in the 2023 football season, but the campaign at Kroger Field is over. The Cats finish the year 4-3 at home, with three straight losses. They are 2-7 in their last nine home games against SEC foes, but the atmosphere in the stands is not the issue. Stoops thanked the Big Blue Nation for bringing its best effort this fall.

“Thank you. They’ve been amazing. I’m disappointed to lose some games at home when they’ve had such great environments. There’s been some really good environments, and in that’s what I asked for, and appreciate that support, and I know our players do,” said Stoops.

“That’s what it takes. We’re going down to a team right now that just just won back to back games, but have had a bit of a struggle, and their stadium seems to be rockin’ as well. That’s what we need in this league. And I would imagine this Saturday, it will be rockin down there. It’ll be a great environment, tough environment.”

Kentucky’s head coach went out of his way to also give credit to the student section for arriving early and having their presence felt on the field.

“It’s just amazing. They’re in there early, they’re loud, really rootin’, so what I would say is thank you. Fans have every right to react however they want. I mean, they pay the money they go, they support, I get it. I want a competitive atmosphere as well.”