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Paul Finebaum Names SEC Coach on the Hot Seat With Nearly $35M Safety Net

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jaron Spor | Last updated Aug 23, 2025 7:00 AM ET

The 2024 college football season was disappointing for one SEC school, the Kentucky Wildcats, who finished with a record of 4-8. This result marked their worst season since head coach Mark Stoops' inaugural year in 2013.

The season came after back-to-back 7-6 campaigns and a 10-3 finish. This has led some to believe that Stoops could be on the hot seat heading into the 2025 season. Another poor performance could cost Stoops his job.

Paul Finebaum of ESPN suggested that Stoops could lose his job after this season. However, on "The Paul Finebaum Show," he mentioned what might delay that outcome.

"We had a student reporter on from Kentucky the other day, and he laid it out pretty well," Finebaum said. "He doesn't expect a great season, but he did predict that Coach Stoops will be around, and the reason is pretty simple: he's got a $35 million buyout that nobody wants to pay for. You have to argue, is that a good reason for a school to keep a coach? It might not be a good reason, but it often is a necessary reason."

Mark Stoops' Buyout is Complicated

If Kentucky encounters additional challenges and chooses to part ways with Stoops, his contract could create complications. If he is fired after the 2025 season, the buyout would be approximately $37.5 million.

According to the third amendment of Stoops' contract, Kentucky is required to pay the specified amount within 60 days of issuing a termination notice. This stipulation complicates the university's ability to dismiss him, as it would involve a substantial buyout. For comparis on, Jimbo Fisher's buyout at Texas A&M was the largest at $76 million.

ESPN's Football Power Index (FPI) predicts a challenging season for Kentucky, forecasting a record of 5-7. This projection places them third from the bottom in the SEC, ahead only of the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the Vanderbilt Commodores.

Mark Stoops Embraces Challenge of Strong Offseason

During SEC Media Days, Stoops emphasized the importance of having a strong offseason. He stressed that every repetition, every lift, and every team meeting should be embraced as a challenge. Stoops expressed his appreciation for the focus and unwavering commitment his players have shown to one another after a difficult season.

"After last season, obviously not a very good year for us, we had to take a good look at that," Stoops said. "For myself, we had eight straight bowl appearances. One of only three teams in the SEC to do that. It’s not easy. So we had a really good stretch and had been really consistent. We know the great teams that are in this league. There are many of us who have had a year off here and there."

The Wildcats will kick off their season at home against the Toledo Rockets at 12:45 p.m. ET on Aug. 30.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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