Career Timeline of Mark Stoops: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Mark Stoops, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Mark Stoops is an American college football coach, currently with the Texas Longhorns. From 2013 to 2023, he was the head football coach at the University of Kentucky. Stoops achieved the distinction of becoming the all-time winningest coach in Kentucky Wildcats football history, exceeding the record previously held by the legendary Paul "Bear" Bryant.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1977: Reference to Last 10-Win Season Before 2019

On January 1, 2019, Kentucky achieved their first 10-win season since 1977 under coach Mark Stoops.

1984: Mentioned Last Kentucky Victory over Tennessee Before 2017

In 2017, the victory over the Volunteers marked the first for Kentucky since 2011 and only the second time since 1984.

1984: First Win in Knoxville Since 1984

In the 2020 season, one of the high points for Kentucky was a 34-7 win at Tennessee, their first win in Knoxville since 1984.

1986: College Football Career at Iowa Hawkeyes

In 1986, Mark Stoops began his college football career playing for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

1988: End of College Football Career at Iowa Hawkeyes

In 1988, Mark Stoops finished his college football career playing for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

1989: Graduate Assistant Coach at Iowa

In 1989, Mark Stoops started his role as a graduate assistant coach at Iowa.

1991: End of Graduate Assistant Coach at Iowa

In 1991, Mark Stoops finished his role as a graduate assistant coach at Iowa.

1992: Athletic Director and Defensive Backs Coach at Nordonia High School

In 1992, Mark Stoops became the athletic director and defensive backs coach at Nordonia High School in Macedonia, Ohio.

1995: End of Role as Athletic Director and Defensive Backs Coach at Nordonia High School

In 1995, Mark Stoops ended his role as the athletic director and defensive backs coach at Nordonia High School in Macedonia, Ohio.

1996: Defensive Backs Coach for South Florida

In 1996, Mark Stoops served as the defensive backs coach for South Florida.

1997: Defensive Backs Coach for Wyoming Cowboys

In 1997, Mark Stoops became the defensive backs coach for the University of Wyoming Cowboys.

1999: End of Role as Defensive Backs Coach for Wyoming Cowboys

In 1999, Mark Stoops ended his role as the defensive backs coach for the University of Wyoming Cowboys.

2000: Co-Defensive Coordinator and Safeties Coach at Houston

In 2000, Mark Stoops joined the University of Houston Cougars as co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach under head coach Dana Dimel.

February 2001: Defensive Backs Coach for Miami Hurricanes

In February 2001, Mark Stoops was named the defensive backs coach for the University of Miami Hurricanes.

2004: Joined Arizona Wildcats Staff

In 2004, Mark Stoops joined the staff of the Arizona Wildcats, where his brother Mike was the head coach.

December 11, 2009: Defensive Coordinator at Florida State University

On December 11, 2009, Mark Stoops accepted the job as defensive coordinator at Florida State University.

November 27, 2012: Hired as Head Coach of Kentucky Football

On November 27, 2012, Mark Stoops was hired as the head coach of the University of Kentucky football program.

2013: Hired as Kentucky Head Coach

In 2013, Mark Stoops became the head football coach for the University of Kentucky Wildcats.

2014: Contract Extension with Kentucky

In 2014, Mark Stoops signed a contract extension with the University of Kentucky that was set to last until 2019.

2014: First Missed Bowl Game Since 2014-2015

In the 2025 season, Stoops led Kentucky to a 5–7 season. Kentucky missed a bowl game in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2014–15, which were Stoops' second and third seasons.

2016: 7-6 Finish and TaxSlayer Bowl Appearance

After a 0-2 start to the 2016 season, Mark Stoops led the Kentucky Wildcats to a 7-6 finish, including a victory over Louisville. Kentucky then lost to Georgia Tech in the TaxSlayer Bowl 33-18.

2017: Kentucky Defeats Tennessee; Music City Bowl Appearance

In 2017, Mark Stoops led Kentucky to a 29-26 victory over Tennessee, the first since 2011. The team finished the regular season 7-5 and lost to Northwestern in the Music City Bowl 24-23.

2018: Second 10-3 Record Since 2018

In 2022, Mark Stoops lead Kentucky to a 20–17 victory over Iowa in the 2022 Citrus Bowl, giving the team its second 10–3 record since 2018.

2018: Historic Season for Kentucky

The 2018 season was a historic one for the Kentucky Wildcats. The team finished 9-3 and snapped a 31-year losing streak to Florida.

January 1, 2019: Citrus Bowl Victory and 10-Win Season

On January 1, 2019, Mark Stoops led Kentucky to a victory over Penn State in the Citrus Bowl, achieving their first 10-win season since 1977.

2019: Adversity Overcome and Belk Bowl Victory

In 2019, Mark Stoops led Kentucky to an 8-5 finish after overcoming adversity with multiple quarterback injuries and a switch to wide receiver Lynn Bowden Jr. at quarterback, including a Belk Bowl victory over Virginia Tech.

2019: End of contract Extension with Kentucky

In 2019, Mark Stoops' contract extension signed in 2014 with the University of Kentucky ended.

2020: COVID-19 Season and Gator Bowl Invitation

In the 2020 season, affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Mark Stoops led Kentucky to a 4-6 record in an all-SEC schedule, resulting in an invitation to the 2021 Gator Bowl.

2021: Gator Bowl Victory

In 2021, Mark Stoops led Kentucky to a 23-21 victory in the Gator Bowl against NC State, marking the team's third straight bowl victory.

2021: Key Transfers and 9-3 Regular Season

The 2021 season was marked by key transfer arrivals for both sides of the ball which led to a 9–3 regular-season record, including a 20–13 home win against Florida.

November 18, 2022: Contract Extension Through 2030

On November 18, 2022, Mark Stoops signed a contract extension with Kentucky, keeping him in Lexington through the 2030 season.

2022: Citrus Bowl Victory

In 2022, Mark Stoops led Kentucky to a 20-17 victory over Iowa in the Citrus Bowl, marking the team's second 10-3 record since 2018 and fourth straight bowl victory.

2022: Longest-Tenured Head Coach; All-Time Winningest Coach

In the 2022 season, Mark Stoops became the Kentucky football program's longest-tenured head coach and all-time winningest coach.

2023: Led Kentucky to a 7-6 Season Ending in Gator Bowl Loss

In the 2023 season, Mark Stoops led Kentucky to a 7–6 season, ending in a 38–35 loss to Clemson in the Gator Bowl.

2024: Led Kentucky to a 4-8 Season

In the 2024 season, Mark Stoops led Kentucky to a 4–8 season, ending in a 41–14 loss to Louisville in the Governors Cup.

December 1, 2025: Fired by Kentucky

On December 1, 2025, Mark Stoops was fired by the University of Kentucky after a second consecutive losing season.

2025: Final Season at Kentucky

In 2025, Mark Stoops coached his last season at the University of Kentucky.

2025: Kentucky Finished 5-7 and Missed Bowl Game

In the 2025 season, Mark Stoops led Kentucky to a 5–7 season, ending with a 41–0 loss to Louisville. Kentucky missed a bowl game for the second consecutive season.