Mark Stoops signs contract extension with Kentucky through 2030 season

Over a week ago, the University of Kentucky snuck through a contract extension for head football coach Mark Stoops that will keep him in Lexington through June 2031. The deal, which extends his contract by three seasons, was officially signed one day prior (Nov. 11) to Kentucky’s 24-21 loss to Vanderbilt last Saturday.

According to UK’s open records, Stoops is set to make $8.6 million per season (plus his base pay of $400,000 that was set at the start of his tenure, putting him at $9 million per season) beginning in February 2023. The 55-year-old head coach is making $6.35 million for the 2022 season but will receive a significant raise that puts him ahead of UK men’s basketball head coach John Calipari and the $8.5 million salary he’ll make for the 2022-23 season (Calipari’s salary will go up $9 million beginning July 2025).

Interestingly enough, the news of Stoops’ new extension was not sent out to the media. A press release dated Nov. 18 is included in the amended contract. Both UK Athletic Director and UK President Eli Capilouto signed off on the deal.

“We have been working on this for over a month and are glad to have it finalized,” Barnhart said in the release. “Continuity has become more and more important in today’s landscape, and make no mistake about it, the job that Coach Stoops has done is well known and highly regarded throughout the college football world.

“This extension also recognizes what Coach Stoops has done over the past decade, with unprecedented achievements in the history of Kentucky football, and reinforces his commitment to UK as we strive for continued success in the future.”

Notably, Stoops’ buyout has been raised from $1.75 million to $4.5 million but will decrease by $500,000 with every year he stays at UK throughout the duration of the new contract. His name has been mentioned regularly in rumors surrounding other Power 5 head coaching positions, but this new deal appears to have locked him in Lexington for the foreseeable future.

“I’m very appreciative of Dr. Capilouto and Mitch Barnhart for the relationship we have and the consistent commitment they have shown to the program,” Stoops said in the same release. “The continuity we’ve had has been crucial to our growth and is even more important as we move forward with the changes in college football.

“As Mitch said, we’ve been working on this for awhile, as I wanted to reaffirm my commitment. I’ve loved it here and am excited about our future.”

Also included in the new deal are updated bonuses for postseason success. If Kentucky makes the College Football Playoff under Stoops, he receives a $500,000 bonus. That number jumps to $650,000 if UK makes the national title game and then to $800,000 if the ‘Cats win the whole thing. Stoops will receive $100,00 for every season Kentucky participates in a bowl game, or $150,000 if the team reaches eight wins in a season.

Since arriving in 2012, Stoops has taken Kentucky to heights that were previously thought to be unobtainable. He recently passed the legendary Paul “Bear” Bryant this season for the program’s most all-time wins (currently at 65) and is the only Wildcat coach to ever finish with two 10-win seasons. The ‘Cats are closing in on their seventh consecutive bowl game appearance, too.