Mark Stoops Hired As Head Coach At Kentucky

Florida St. defensive coordinator Mark Stoops has been hired as the new head football coach of the Kentucky Wildcats.

The 45-year-old Stoops, who is the younger brother of Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops, replaces Joker Phillips, who went 13-24 in three seasons at Kentucky, including a 2-10 record this season.

Since 1996, Stoops has served on the coaching staffs at South Florida, Wyoming, Houston, Miami (Florida), Arizona, and Florida St.

While at Arizona (2004-2009), Stoops served as the school's defensive coordinator under his brother, Mike, prior to his stint at Florida St., where he's worked the past three seasons.

Kentucky appeared in six-consecutive bowl games, from 2006-2010, but has only been to 15 bowl games in school history, compiling an 8-7 record, and hasn't won an SEC title since back in 1976.