SEC Football Head Coach Evaluation: Kentucky Wildcats’ Mark Stoops
Jul 15, 2015; Birmingham, AL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops speaks to media during SEC media day at the Wynfrey Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
Let me preface this by saying Mark Stoops obviously deserves year three to right the ship. I have always been a believer that when you hire a coach, with some atrocious exceptions, they deserve three years at minimum to shape their program. Four to five is an even more ideal scenario, but college football is far too much of a “what have you done for me lately” entity for that to be expected.
If Stoops is going to turn around Kentucky’s fortunes, one needs to examine his success at a prior destination for his likeliest of paths. One cannot compare it to his success at Florida State. FSU is rich with tradition and talent. The more apt comparison for Kentucky is Arizona.
When Stoops took over as defensive coordinator, year one saw a huge improvement. Years 2-4 saw his defenses shift irregularly in the national rankings. In years 5-6, though, both of his defenses finished in the top 25 of total defense.
Stoops had to implement his scheme and coaching first, which led to the jump from 109th to 61st in his first year. While scheme and coaching are obviously important, talent is critical at the collegiate level. Once Stoops was able to recruit his type of guys, the defense became a top 25 unit.
Kentucky fans are going to have to gamble Stoops can match that level of success as a head coach at Kentucky. But fans have to be patient. That success is not coming in year 3. Stoops will have to do enough to convince fans and administrators there has been enough of an improvement that 2016 could hold something special.
Unfortunately for Stoops, I cannot see Kentucky making a bowl in 2015 with their schedule. After consecutive 5-7 campaigns, Stoops will begin losing sway with elite recruits. I think Kentucky will keep him around for year 4, though. After that, it becomes a question of perspective.
Stoops can make Kentucky a regular bowl contender with an 8-4 ceiling. Is that enough for the Wildcat faithful? This is not basketball, so I say yes. I would not be happy with it, but he gets the Southbound and Down thumbs up.
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