Stoops staying at Kentucky amid Texas A&M rumors
Mark Stoops announced Sunday morning that he'll remain at Kentucky despite being linked with the Texas A&M coaching vacancy.
Stoops confirmed he was "contacted about a potential opportunity this weekend" but didn't name the Aggies as the interested party.
I know there’s been much speculation about me and my job situation the last couple of days. It’s true I was contacted about a potential opportunity this weekend, but after celebrating a big win against our rivals with players I love like family, I knew in my heart I couldn’t…
— Mark Stoops (@UKCoachStoops) November 26, 2023
Texas A&M was looking for Stoops, who's spent the last 11 seasons in charge at Kentucky, to replace Jimbo Fisher. The Aggies reportedly paid over $75 million - a record buyout - to part ways with Fisher.
Interim head coach Elijah Robinson is expected to be a candidate for the full-time job. Duke's Mike Elko, Utah's Kyle Whittingham, Arizona's Jedd Fisch, and UTSA's Jeff Traylor are also on the Aggies' radar, ESPN's Pete Thamel reports.
Stoops boasts a 73-64 mark on his career and has Kentucky headed for a school-record eighth straight bowl game after getting to 7-5 with Saturday's win over Louisville.