Mark Stoops puts the pressure on Mitch Barnhart to settle what happens next

In 2023, Mark Stoops had one foot out the door to Texas A&M until their fanbase revolted. He came back, called himself a “Kentuckian,” and said that, like it or not, this is his home.

Two years after the Aggie fan revolt, the only thing the Kentucky fanbase agrees on is that the “Kentuckian” needs to go.

Losing to Louisville is one thing. Getting humiliated 41-0 by a rival missing half its offense is another. But to sit at the podium after that performance, smile, and act smug about your job security? That is a spit in the face to every single fan who spent their hard-earned money to drive to Louisville on Saturday, or Nashville the previous weekend, or worse, both.

Stoops tried to sell the same tired message postgame, claiming, “We’re going to work like we always do. We’re going to try to build this roster… we’re going to continue to improve.”

“Work like we always do?” That is exactly the problem.

Working “like you always do” is what got you run off the field 45-17 by Vanderbilt. It’s what got you shut out 41-0 by Louisville. It is what has turned this program into a national punchline over the last two weeks.

If the plan is to keep doing the same thing, then the plan is to keep losing badly.

The 37 million dollar stare down between Mitch Barnhart, Mark Stoops, and BBN

Stoops reiterated four separate times that there is a “zero percent chance” he walks away. He knows exactly what he is doing. He is daring Mitch Barnhart to fire him and pay the $37 million buyout.

He even dropped a subtle hint, mentioning that he has “bosses” who make decisions. He just put the ball squarely in Mitch Barnhart’s court.

The clock is ticking

Mitch Barnhart is known for being stubborn and loyal to a fault. Firing his friend Mark Stoops is the hardest professional call he will ever have to make.

But look at the scoreboard. 86-17.

That is the combined score of the last two games. You cannot keep a coach who loses like that. You just can’t.

The clock is ticking. If Mark Stoops is still the head coach by Tuesday morning, he is going to be the head coach in 2026. And if that happens, Mitch Barnhart is telling every fan in Big Blue Nation that mediocrity is acceptable as long as you are friends with the boss.

Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time he enjoys downtime with his family and Premier League soccer. You can find him on X here. Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion