The 2025 college football season is expected to provide an opportunity for redemption for several programs across the country. These teams aim to recover from disappointing 2024 seasons and improve enough to relieve their head coaches from being on the hot seat.
The Kentucky Wildcats, led by head coach Mark Stoops, are one of the teams facing this challenge. Last year, they finished with a 4-8 record, their worst performance since Stoops’ first season in 2013 when they had a record of 2-10.
There is considerable pressure on Stoops. Despite his successful tenure at Kentucky, where he became the winningest coach in the program’s history, another poor season could lead to serious consequences.
On “The Paul Finebaum Show,” a Kentucky fan asked Finebaum what might happen to Stoops and athletic director Mitch Barnhart if the Wildcats struggle again. Finebaum responded that it would likely not be a positive outcome.
“This is just my opinion because I don’t have any insight,” Finebaum said. “I think next year is a very big year for him because he can not afford another bad year if he intends to maintain support from people like you.”
Stoops has experienced considerable success at Kentucky, leading the Wildcats to two of their four seasons with 10 or more wins. However, the team’s performance has declined each year since their last 10-win season in 2021, when Kentucky finished 10-3.
Since then, the Wildcats have recorded back-to-back 7-6 seasons, followed by just four wins in 2024. In 2024, the Wildcats were unable to defeat any FBS opponents after September. Ironically, their last win against an FBS team that season came on the road against the Ole Miss Rebels, contributing to Ole Miss missing the College Football Playoff.
Stoops will aim to turn things around in 2025; otherwise, Finebaum suggests that he may be at risk of losing his job.
