Mark Stoops is making a return to the college football scene in 2026, but this time with the Texas Longhorns. He will serve as a special assistant to head coach Steve Sarkisian. Interestingly, Texas won’t face Kentucky next fall, but a recent overtime game at Kentucky cost Stoops a chance at another winning season, which might have kept him in Lexington.
During his time at Kentucky, Stoops always spoke highly of Sarkisian. Both coaches have been in the Pac-12, competing against each other when Stoops was with Arizona and Sarkisian was at Washington. They even worked together at Alabama under Nick Saban, which builds a strong connection between them.
This new role for Stoops may be a stepping stone to becoming a head coach again. After being let go by West Virginia, Neal Brown took a similar path, spending a year in Texas before leading North Texas. This “coaching rehab” is a common route for fired head coaches looking to bounce back.
Financially, Texas might not bear much of the burden for Stoops’ salary. Kentucky still owes him $37.7 million over the next six years, an obligation that is paid in quarterly installments.
At Kentucky, Stoops had quite a journey. He became the longest-tenured coach in the Southeastern Conference and racked up more wins than any other coach in Kentucky football history, surpassing iconic figures like Bear Bryant. He inherited a struggling team in 2013 that only had two wins and transformed it into a contender, leading Kentucky to eight consecutive bowl games.
However, in recent years, the wins have been tougher to come by. From 2018 to 2022, Stoops notched 20 SEC victories, but since a notable win against Florida in September 2023, his team managed only four wins against SEC competitors. Overall, Stoops finished his stint at Kentucky with an 82-80 record.
In the world of college football, transitions like this are common, and experts believe that Stoops’ experience will be valuable for Texas. “Coaches learn from every opportunity, and Stoops’ background shows his resilience,” said a sports analyst, emphasizing the potential for a successful comeback.
As fans and analysts alike watch how this new chapter unfolds, the landscape of college football continues to shift—making it an exciting time for teams and supporters.
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