Mark Stoops was offered A&M job; no raise to stay at Kentucky

Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops isn’t going anywhere. That wasn’t necessarily the case late Saturday evening, but it is now.

It marks the end of a whirlwind 24-hour stretch that saw the most prominent and reputable national reporters not only list Stoops as a short-list option to fill the Texas A&M coaching vacancy, but the overwhelming favorite. Rivals and 247Sports went as far as to say Stoops was expected to become the next head coach in College Station. Sports Illustrated and FootballScoop followed with reports that he was the leading candidate for A&M with “all the momentum” as the two sides approached the finish line.

And then it all fell through. KSR’s Matt Jones was the first to break the news that Stoops was staying at Kentucky, followed by an announcement from the head man himself.

“I know there’s been much speculation about me and my job situation the last couple of days,” Stoops said. “It’s true I was contacted about a potential opportunity this weekend, but after celebrating a big win against our rivals with players I love like family, I knew in my heart I couldn’t leave the University of Kentucky right now.

“I have a great job at a place I love, and I get to work with the best administration and greatest fan base in college football right where I’m at. I’m excited to say I’m a Wildcat!”

So how did it all unfold? Matt Jones broke it all down early Sunday morning.

Long story short, Stoops was offered the head coaching job at Texas A&M and did seriously consider leaving Kentucky. That being said, a late meeting with his current staff in Lexington made him realize now isn’t the time to make a move.

“The A&M reports about Stoops accepting are not totally accurate. Stoops was offered the job tentatively but there was approval needed to fully offer and that was for Sunday morning,” Jones reported. “A&M reports say that approval might not have come. I can’t say (because) I am not there. But during that time, Stoops talked to staff and those around him and became convinced he didn’t want to leave. … He then made the decision to end the process before this morning. It may be both sides decided on a different path. Either way, the whole thing fell apart just after midnight.”

Monday on KSR should be a fun show

The A&M reports about Stoops accepting are not totally accurate. Stoops was offered the job tentatively but there was approval needed to fully offer and that was for Sunday morning. A&M reports say that approval might not have come. I can’t say…

— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) November 26, 2023

There will always be two sides to this story, but on Kentucky’s side, it was clear Stoops was serious about A&M — then he had a change of heart.

“As I told someone last night, ultimately what story people decide to believe is likely based on their own view of what they think the situation is,” Jones added. “I am confident though about last night and I will leave it at that. Stoops seriously considered leaving and A&M offered the job pending Board approval. But in the interim and after talking to those around them, I think both sides may have had other thoughts.”

Any concern this was a leverage deal to earn another raise and/or extension in Lexington? Kill them.

“Mark Stoops was not given a raise or any incentive to stay at Kentucky,” Jones said.

For now, the best-case scenario unfolded: Stoops was wanted by a national contender, but chose to stay in Lexington.

“I think Stoops staying is massive for the UK Football program,” Jones said. “A lot went down tonight on all sides. It will be a great book someday. But what was clear was that if Stoops and his staff left, UK was going to be in massive rebuild mode. Best option for Cats happened.”