Video: Coach Stoops Pre-Spring Practice
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY FOOTBALL NEWS CONFERENCE
February 25, 2025
Kroger Field – Lexington, Kentucky
Head Coach Mark Stoops
MARK STOOPS: Thanks, Tony. Good seeing everybody. It has been a hectic time. I will tell you, it feels like our feet have not hit the ground. So it has been an exciting time, busy welcoming 31 new players to campus, and we have been hitting the ground running. So it has been a great start and excited about the future.
Q Mark, can you go into some details about how you put this transfer class together and what you did differently than previous years.
MARK STOOPS: Well, I don’t know about what would be different. I think their calendar was different. It was unique in that we got done with the last game of the season and, obviously, we know the season did not go the way any of us wanted it to, certainly our players and our staff and myself. But since that day, you know, truly the next morning, it feels like we have not stopped. And that’s a good thing. It is an exciting time. So the calendar was different, it was unique in that the high school early signing period was so early, you weren’t able to go in living rooms at that time, which was different. And we just really felt like we were bringing people in. I think we always — you know, we’re disappointed we broke that bowl streak and we want to get back to that and sustain success and improvement and all of those things. But it gave us an opportunity to really concentrate, dive in and reboot this roster.
Q There was some talk, Vince going on your coaches show, and about the previous transfer portal misses. What makes you confident that this group of transfer portal players can be what you need it to be.
MARK STOOPS: Yeah, I think that is a fair question and assessment. I don’t think ever with the way we have worked this roster since I’ve been here, you know things change and evolve, obviously, and, you know, the ability to select the right teammates, to select the players that fit your program is always important. And when you’re hitting on the portal, it is vitally important because you are hitting free agency, essentially, with one-year guys or filling a player to hit a certain position. To come and start and compete in this league and fit our culture and, you know, play at the level that you want to is difficult, I think. We have to do a great job of selecting the right teammates, you know, and you have to have the right resources, you know. And it is funny still talking about that, but it is what it is, right? You know, you have to have the resources. And, you know, I think as you have better resources your selection can be better. And you have the ability to get higher quality. And hopefully we did that. I feel very good. Let me just say that, about the 31 guys that are in here and the 20 portal guys, I could not be more pleased. You know, obviously, you know, when they’re coming in here during the recruiting process, you know, very clear with them that we didn’t meet our standards this past year. So, basically, don’t come into this program if you are not willing to do those things. I couldn’t be more pleased with what they have done thus far, you know, and just the attitude that they have had in the weight room, attacking the weight room, the first segment. We just had our first fourth-quarter program where we are pushing them mentally and physically. And, you know, really pleased with where we’re at in the 20 portal guys, and the 11 high school guys have been a great addition. So it is a start. But it is a good start. And I feel very good about it. I feel like there’s also, with your question, the ability to have more than just one answer, just put all of our eggs in the one person, you know, I feel like there’s more depth at every position and I think that was critical. That bit us a year ago, and that’s my fault, you know, we were not deep enough at certain positions and, so, we’re hanging our hat on specific people and maybe they were injured or failed to meet our expectation and it didn’t work out. So that’s on us, that’s on me.
Q Mark, after that bowl game when you were talking to your guys and a few times about accountability and holding themselves more accountable in the weight room and things like that, have you see those strides and how did you kind of re-emphasize that?
Mark Stoops: Yeah, without question. And that, again, is something that didn’t meet our standards, and that’s on me. So we set that precedent right from the beginning. We’ve worked extremely hard and, you know, we have to intentionally develop them, give them the tools and design exactly, very clearly what we expect of them. And we’re doing that. We’re working extremely hard in that area, all of us. You know, I could go on and on. We only have 30 minutes here. I’m sorry, I was running, just got off the field, so a little bit scrambling this morning trying to fit all of this in for you. But there is so much we needed to look at as a staff and then define what we’re looking for, you know, to the players, to ourselves, to everything. And just kind of, you know, we’re always looking at those things but really dive into that. And then teaching these players what we expect of them. And we always want to be player-led and player-led in the accountability phase, and these guys are working at it. You know, we’ve really dove into that, you know, we always have Jason Cummings overseeing some of that with myself and some of our staff, but really Dean Hood took it to another level in player development and working with us and making sure he is spending time on point on that messaging. And us just reinvesting with the players, spending time with the players, getting to know each other. It is a new roster, so there is a lot to do.
Q Mark, in 2025 coaches do everything but coach nowadays. How nice has it been in the last couple of weeks just to be out there on the field with your guys and working with them one-on-one?
MARK STOOPS: It is always good to get on the grass with the players and get on the field, and we are getting more and more with that. We had a lot more to do in the weight room and still do. But we will transition and get ready for spring practice. And I just like being around these players, and you love being around them, whether it’s x’s and o’s, whether its technique, motivating, whatever it is, getting to know these guys it has been a lot of fun.
Q Mark, specifically on the offensive line, like what were you looking for? Why did these guys check the boxes?
MARK STOOPS: These guys really stand out. If you look at them, they are grown men and they are people that have two and three degrees. They are people that are married. They are people that are very serious about what they are doing. And, you know, so, I think they are just an impressive group. I think they check the boxes, athletically what we’re looking for. We have great size again. We have depth that we haven’t had in a few years. And, you know, again, we just need to get it fixed. I could go back. I take responsibility, but it is like let’s get it fixed and move forward, and we have some bodies in there now and we have really good size and we have quality people.
Q Is the plan to have a spring game and all of you around the league or not have one?
MARK STOOPS: Yeah, I want to do something. It is a little early. I think we’re in really good shape, healthy right now and everything. I want to open it up and show you guys and show the fans and make sure you guys and the fans get access, whether it is a practice or spring game, however we format it, I want to do something. And, yeah, I don’t think we will put it on TV. We haven’t talked about it or anything. But I want to open it up to you and to our fans and even if it is a practice, at least, a lot of times you see more than a spring game. And, again, understand what the spring game for football, if we split up two times, you are diluting it and it doesn’t always look as good as it can in the fall when we put them all on one team, right? So if we go offense against defense, at least you get a good vision, you get to see the players play, you get to do something.
Q Mark, for years we always heard coaches talking about continuity in the offensive line and how important that is. Is that kind of out the door, then, with the transfer portal or does it worry you about having maybe five new starters on the offensive line?
MARK STOOPS: I think, sure, you have to take into consideration all of that. And I think it is what it is. Some years some teams will have greater transition than others at certain positions. And, you know, offensive line is a fair point that you want to have great continuity. I think the good thing about these players is they have played a lot of football and, you know, for us there is always going to be that balance of making sure we’re feeding them, you know, things that they can handle and make sure schematically we are doing what we do. We don’t want to hold back, that is one thing that is nice about having the same offensive coordinator for the second year, I haven’t had that for a while and it is important to grow and continue to grow. But I think that is, again, a fair question, a fair concern, and a fair point. But with these guys, they have a ton of football under their belt and we get a little more time than we used to, we get to spend more time with them in the off season now and through the summer than we used to. So hopefully we overcome all of that.
Q Mark, the recruitment of Zach Calzada, what was it that you all liked and what has he shown you all?
MARK STOOPS: Yeah, I think just all of his play, the experience. A six-year guy, the guy has played a lot of football, competed in our league and did very well when he was in there. And, you know, I think to balance that with a guy like Cutter, who is very young, you have got Beau back, which gives us some experience as well, so I feel good about that position. I think with Zach, I mean, what I like is the fact that I can put on film and see a ton of reps.
Q Mark, what about the freshman quarterbacks?
MARK STOOPS: Yeah, I mean, to be determined, right? We will see. I mean, look at them and what they did in high school. I feel very good about them. But you know and I know I am not going to put all of my eggs in an incoming freshman, you know. So…
Q There was a wide receiver who now is intended to transfer here. I don’t know what all you can comment on. There is nothing official. Are you optimistic he will be able to join the team?
MARK STOOPS: It is. I think, understand nationally some guys are working through what gets approved by the NCAA for these next years and what does not. I mean, you may know better than me. Because, you know, some people get approved and others don’t. And, so, I don’t know. I mean, that’s what we’re looking for.
Q It’s out of your hands?
MARK STOOPS: Correct.
Q Just kind of wait and see?
MARK STOOPS: Correct.
Q How much more common — (inaudible) make this transfer point?
MARK STOOPS: I think just the shock of it, you know, it changes the numbers all the time, you know. So… You know, adapt and deal with it, you know. But for certain players it is like they — you would think it is a no-brainer for them to get the year if certain do. And I don’t — you know, there’s so much going on, that’s just one piece of it.
Q Speaking of wide receivers, obviously a big hit in the transfer portal this off-season, what do you like about the group and how do you feel about the numbers so far?
MARK STOOPS: I feel very good about the group. I like their attitude. They are tough, they are experienced, and, you know, they will be a great addition. The guys were out there this morning, and I just like their experience and their toughness. And, you know, I
think it is a very good group.
Q You got a couple of defensive players.
MARK STOOPS: Yeah.
Q What were you liking, especially with the upgrades?
MARK STOOPS: Yeah, I think, you know, with David and Mi’Quise, both guys that again have great experience and, you know, played a lot of football, and, you know, fit, checked the box for us athletically, what we’re looking for. So two really good players. You look at it as a group up there and I feel like, again, the depth is there. And, you know, so, you know, that really helps, just look at us last spring. I don’t feel like, you know, it was good enough for us to practice as physical as we need to. I think eventually you pay the price for that in a lot of different areas. And, you know, so I want to be able to just operate and practice. And, you know, again, it goes back to this time last year about not being deep enough and, unfortunately, getting injuries, which is always going to happen. But you get enough injuries at one position and it sets back the team. So I feel confident in the depth we have at that position and, again, a bunch of good attitudes and good guys. I saw them out from this morning in the fourth quarter drill where it is challenging mentally, and they are all really accepting their responsibility and the challenge and leading.
Q With all the blue collar shirts, how much does the work and — how much is that part of the off-season messaging, is stressing that?
MARK STOOPS: I think it is very important. Just, again, be very upfront with them, be very clear, define what we’re looking for and hold them to those expectations and them holding themselves to that, you know, to the standards that we set for them. And, you know, they are doing that. And that’s all we can do, attack each day. You could go back probably to my first press conference and I’m saying these same things, right? But that doesn’t mean they are always going to happen, right? We know the concentration, the focus has to get back to making sure, you know, that we don’t sacrifice in any of these areas. You know, it is a tough, you know, business we’re in, it is a tough league, it is going to be a tough schedule, so the only thing we can manage is the day-to-day, you know and attacking that day. And, you know, I’ve talked about this before, like if you look at it as an entirety there is so much to do. But that’s good. That gives us a bunch of juice, a bunch of energy that there is so much to do today, like truly, and attacking that day. And that is kind of the excitement around the building and what the players, of like let’s be on tilt today, like let’s be fourth and one today. And, you know, just really ramp up the intensity. Because, you know, it can be overwhelming of what needs to be done. But let’s just have that motivation day to day and, you know, I feel it in the building.
Q Mark, Weaver was your top target at center, which is obviously a huge, important position. I am pretty sure his high school year was when Derrick was here before. How does that grow from whatever maybe you didn’t think he was a player out of high school for what he has done now.
MARK STOOPS: Well, we can say that about Mi’Quise, David, about so many guys. And look across the country, look at, you know, other sports, you know, look at basketball and football. I mean, that’s just what we’re in right now, right? You know, you’ve seen it for years in the NFL, guys make it from, you know, Division 2 or Division 3 schools, right, and they didn’t have the ability to transfer and now you have the ability to transfer. And football is a developmental sport, you know, some will really grow and mature and grow into it, and you are seeing that across the country in all sports. And, you know, it is fun, exciting to be able to bring them in and watch him play.
Q Fred was —
MARK STOOPS: Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Q — playing and you were like, this guy just ran a new route.
MARK STOOPS: Yeah, it is a new route. And it is exciting, it is exciting to bring them back and get another shot to not miss on him this time, right? It is going to happen. We understand that, that it happens, and excited for them.
Q Mark, what are some of the issues with regard to (inaudible). Because Dante was so effective in Nebraska. And how do you think he will kind of compliment Marion, two different styles of that.
MARK STOOPS: I think that’s fair. Those are things we have talked about in-depth already, the situational positions that we are in and the failure at certain areas. And, you know, I think you have to look at everything, right, personnel, scheme, you have to look at everything that we did and get better at it. But, you know, bringing Dante in with his size and the physical nature that he plays with and his ability is very exciting. I love his maturity and certainly that size.
Q Mark, Bush came back for a second year. I’m sure last year to some degree you were trying to incorporate what he did but also what was done before. Do you think the offense will be any different? Will it look any different now that it is his second year?
MARK STOOPS: Yeah, I think, you know, certainly, you know, for Bush, if you go back, if we’re going back for a moment, you know which I’m fine to do, I have to take those bullets for a while, right, and then it is always forward. (Laughter). But I think, you know, part of it for him is, like even for myself, last year, what can you do, right? And you learn maybe early on, okay, we’re a little deficient in this or that.
Q In the personnel?
MARK STOOPS: Exactly. And, so, we think we obviously need to grow and will grow in certain areas and look different in certain ways. That doesn’t mean just total new scheme or anything like that. Let’s get better at the core principles of what we do and who we are and then, you know, as you protect and as you get back to maybe being balanced and run the ball and, like, yeah, let’s play action and drop back and all of the things we want to do and be fun and fun to watch. But you have to do the little things, right, or you will not do the fun and exciting things.
Q Mark, tagging off of that, this is probably the best tight-end you have had since you have been here. Is that just different personnel, a little bit more playing, a little bit more —
MARK STOOPS: I think it is. And it is like, you know, I think sometimes, you know, with that position are you going to feature 12 personnel, 11 personnel and the balance of that and getting the guys the football enough and all of those things. You know, so it will work its way out. I feel good about the players that are here, you know, certainly Josh being around for a long time, being a long time starter and the emergence of Willie, he is a real good player. So I will continue to find ways to get them the ball, too, keeping the ball.
Q Mark, are there second or third year players that have really made big jump since the season ended?
MARK STOOPS: Yeah. Let me hold off on that. That is a great question, but we have not put the ball down and we have not gotten to that point with spring ball yet. You know, I think I like the progress that a lot of people are making and just the total group right now. We will see more of that.
Q Mark, how about the inside of linebacking depth, are you where you need to be?
MARK STOOPS: You know, I think that’s, you know, one position that we could be a little thin. But we like the quality that we have. And, you know, again, I think, you know, those guys are going to make a big improvement. I felt like we played good there a year ago and these guys need to step up. So we will see. I think it is a fair question. A little thin.
Q Mark, how much were you able to talk to these guys about what the revenue sharing is going to look like given that we don’t know for sure that the court case gets approved and how that affects it?
MARK STOOPS: Yeah, we just worked off of what we knew we could do for a year. You know, I think all coaches would like to know and have our rosters pretty stable year to year. So that’s what we were able to do. We will adapt. We are in a position to operate on this year. We know the revenue share would kick in, you know, should the judge approve it, it would kick in in July. But that is all part of their contracts that we already negotiated with them.
Q Mark, you mentioned just, you know, fourth down and zero, whatever, how tough it is, all of that. But also spring last year, you know, injuries were a big deal. Like, how do you walk that line about you have got all of these new faces and it makes you want to get physical but you cannot. So what do you see maybe spring looking like, maybe different than a couple of years ago?
MARK STOOPS: Well, a couple of different points of emphasis there, which is a good point. You know, one of the things we looked at as we got together, if you go back there are two different elements you talked about that, if you look at just philosophically what we are doing, you know, we have to protect our players. And I had a long talk with our strength and conditioning team back in December and then once again in January, prior to the players’ arrival, that I’m asking a lot of them because they do a remarkable job. But, you know, there are areas where I want to improve, you know, and, you know, physically. Part of that is on us to recruit the right players, right, to give them the right bodies to work with that can handle things. But, you know, our group does an amazing job, our strength and conditioning team always, you know, they have my full confidence and they do a great job in a lot of areas. But I asked them to push it a little bit. And, so, continue to do the things that they do with strength and conditioning, they do mobility, a remarkable job of injury prevention and just, you know, they are the experts in that area. However, there was areas where I wanted to improve. So I asked a lot of them. Now we come back to the next phase where we work with them in the fourth quarter drills and pushing them and changing direction and they have to be able to withstand that. There will be soft tissue things that happen, some injuries that happen. And then with spring ball, the next phase of it, your question, you know, we’re going to get back to being who we are. You know, and we are going to be fundamentally good and tough and play the game the right way and we are going to be physical. It starts there. If you don’t have those things, you have no chance. Again, you could go back to my day one press conference, I said some form of that and that is the truth. Do we want all of the other things? Of course. You have to be to win, you know, with the schedule that we have. And, so, but we have enough bodies to be able to function and to be physical.
Q I don’t believe we spoke since L’Damian was hired. What was it about him that you liked and what have you seen?
MARK STOOPS: Yeah, L’Damian, I love his energy, his juice and energy. In recruiting he was on top of everything. He knew every whiteout in the portal, throughout the country, and recruiting them. Like, he just knew of them and just had a really good, you know, energy about him. So I like the way he works and fundamentally just everything. I’m excited about him.
Q Mark, a question on leadership. In previous years guys from the portal, they wouldn’t want to come in and step on a lot of toes. But offensively there is just not — I mean, there are not many toes to step on because there are few people there.
MARK STOOPS: Right.
Q So is that going to change? Is that different? Have you seen those old guys come in and be old guys?
MARK STOOPS: Well, you know, I brought in guys that are very mature, right? I don’t think anybody in this group is worried about stepping on anybody’s toes, you know. And I think, again very fair, valid question, you know, when you have some alphas in the room, you know. And, so, again, I don’t mean to put down anything or anybody in the past or just general statement, it is like we’re — the way things are right now, you are kind of starting fresh. You know, when the players come back in January you are starting from ground zero.
And, so, I need the leaders to lead. And we have guys with great experience. And, so, I feel very good about that. And I didn’t do a good enough job of teaching, you know, and bringing out the leadership that I needed to a year ago. You know, so we are not going to miss in that area, either.
Q Mark, you got Shiyazh, like, right under the wire at the end of the semester.
MARK STOOPS: Yes.
Q How important was it to get him in?
MARK STOOPS: Shiyazh is a guy that, yeah, I’m still going to have a conversation and break his arm one day or saying work on you, it. Will take two or three people to help us. He stressed us to beyond the deadline. You know, so, he applied the last day that needed the application in and then we finalized it on the Sunday. So he applied on Friday and I think we finalized it on Saturday or Sunday. So it was down to the wire to say the least. So he is a deep thinker, as you will get to know him. Really remarkable young man. He has been through an awful lot and like, you know, just he is a great success story. And, you know, he definitely thinks things through, and you guys get an opportunity to visit with some guys right now. But just an impressive person. You know, I think he measured in like at 6’8″ and a quarter and can really move and, you know, very athletic. And, so, you know, it was a really good get right at the end there.
Q Mark, you have been doing this for a while now, you are an established D1 coach. And for the last few years you have warned us about rule changes and things like that. And now you and your peers have to do business so differently. Are you still enjoying this as much as you always have?
MARK STOOPS: I enjoy it right now as much as I ever have. And, you know, maybe — I shouldn’t say it was good. It is what it is, right? Last year, you know, it was not what I wanted. It was not what anybody wanted. That falls squarely on me, you know, and I know people, you get tired. There are a lot of things that you have to adapt to and, you know, one way or another it ties back directly to me. And, you know, so, but it is a big organization, it is a big department. And there are a lot of areas that we have to all adapt to and, you know, do it at a high level.
And, you know, so, with that being said, with the situation the way it was, like I could not be more energized and focused and determined to get this thing back and to keep rolling the program like we once did, you know, as good as anybody with the sustained success that we had for a long period of time. That is hard to did in our league. And we will — we’re highly motivated to get back on track and to get going and I think there is great energy and great juice in our building. I like the focus and the energy of our staff. I think we had to be very strategic in defining exactly what we want to do. And, you know, and then, you know, teaching that to the players and then having them — you know, I just — you know, I like the way they have accepted that, the way they have accepted the coaching. They understand very clearly what is expected of them, they are working very hard and that feels very good. You know, nobody likes the year that we had, but, you know, I like where we are at right now. And we’re aiming to push forward and to aim for the future. And it is fun coming in early in the spring and attacking the day and getting around these players and getting them better.
Okay. Folks, thank you very much.
