The sweepstakes for Auburn’s head coaching job is beginning to wind down, and it appears that one name has been removed from the running.
It was reported by multiple outlets on Sunday, including Brett McMurphy of Action Network HQ, that Kentucky has signed head coach [autotag]Mark Stoops[/autotag] to a contract extension. The extension is set to last through the 2030 season and has increased his salary from $6.35 million per season to $8.6 million per year. The deal was reportedly signed on Nov. 11, one day prior to Kentucky’s 24-21 loss to Vanderbilt.
According to Zach Geoghegan of Kentucky Sports Radio, Stoops now makes more than Kentucky head basketball coach John Calipari. Calipari currently makes $8.5 million per season to lead the Wildcats’ basketball program but is set to receive a boost to $9 million in 2025.
The extension is believed to be Kentucky’s response to Stoops being a name of interest in several head coaching searches. Outside of Auburn, Stoops was also tied to the opening at Nebraska.
In ten seasons at Kentucky, Stoops has led the Wildcats to a 65-58 record and is 4-2 in bowl games. Under Stoops’ watch, Kentucky has earned multiple wins over SEC East rivals Florida and Tennessee.
[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyzb4ahnasj2m3 player_id=none image=https://auburnwire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]