Mike Stoops officially signs Kentucky football contract

It’s officially official: Mike Stoops will serve as an assistant coach for his younger brother, Mark.

Just under two weeks ago FootballScoop reported that Mike Stoops was expected to join Kentucky’s coaching staff, filling the vacancy left by Jon Sumrall. His contract is now finalized. The elder Stoops signed a three-year deal with a starting annual salary of $650,000.

Mark has already put his older brother to work. Mike Stoops spent the weekend in Lexington, hosting recruits on Kentucky’s Junior Day. Today he was on the road in South Florida with Brad White. That could ultimately be his primary recruiting territory while coaching at Kentucky.

Had a great time at the University of Kentucky Saturday!! @Mike_Stoops41 @shaeeflatt @MJGOLDENBEARFB @NCEC_Recruiting @BallHawkU @coachbradwhite1 pic.twitter.com/kClgKAdXsD

— Ethan Crisp – SS/LB (@EthanCrisp12) January 17, 2022

Thank you #mikestoops @UKFootball for stopping by @miamiedison_fb today. pic.twitter.com/6zmdaJPk7w

— Luther Luke Campbell (@unclelukereal1) January 18, 2022

Mike Stoops is a 30-year college football coaching veteran that spent about a decade calling the defense for his brother, Bob, at Oklahoma. He most recently was the defensive coordinator at Florida Atlantic. That gig followed two seasons on Nick Saban’s Alabama coaching staff as a quality control analyst. Mark and Mike previously worked together when the latter was the head football coach at Arizona.

A formal announcement and introductory press conference is still in the works, yet one thing remains clear: Mike Stoops fills a lot of needs on Kentucky’s coaching staff.

UPDATE: UK officially announced the addition. Here’s what the Stoops brothers had to say about the move.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to coach with Mike again,” Mark Stoops said.  “Mike was instrumental in my early development as a coach, as I learned a lot from him at Arizona. He has a wealth of experience as a head coach, coordinator and position coach.  I look forward to having him contribute to the staff at Kentucky.”

“I want to thank everyone at the University of Kentucky for this exciting opportunity to coach inside linebackers,” Mike Stoops said. “Mark, his staff, and these players have accomplished a great deal, while competing in the Southeastern Conference, to put the Kentucky football program on the map. I’m looking forward to working with Coach (Brad) White on defense and contributing to the development and success of our players and team. Go Cats!”