Mark Stoops Joins Texas as Head Coach’s Special Assistant
Mark Stoops has joined the Texas Longhorns as the special assistant to head coach Steve Sarkisian. This announcement was confirmed by various sources on Monday evening.
Background on Mark Stoops
Before joining Texas, Stoops served as the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats for 13 seasons. He was let go in early December after a challenging season where the team faced two consecutive losing records. Under his leadership, Kentucky achieved a historical milestone in 2018 by securing its first 10-win season since 1977. Stoops finished his tenure with an overall record of 82-80, making him the program’s longest-tenured coach and all-time wins leader.
Achievements at Kentucky
- 13 seasons as head coach
- 82-80 overall record
- Longest-tenured coach in Kentucky history
- Led the Wildcats to eight consecutive bowl games from 2016 to 2023
- Four consecutive bowl game victories
- Produced first 10-win season since 1977
Coaching Expertise and Influence
Growing up in Youngstown, Ohio, Stoops developed a reputation as a defensive strategist. His background includes playing defensive back at Iowa, where he began his coaching career as a graduate assistant. His rise in the coaching ranks included a role as a defensive backs coach for the Miami Hurricanes in the early 2000s. Stoops also served as defensive coordinator at Florida State under Jimbo Fisher before taking charge at Kentucky.
Role with the Texas Longhorns
As the special assistant to Steve Sarkisian, Stoops is expected to play a crucial role in the team’s game planning. His focus will be on self-scouting the offense and assisting with defensive strategies alongside newly appointed defensive coordinator Will Muschamp. Stoops’ experience and defensive acumen will provide Texas with valuable insights as they prepare for their upcoming season.
