Report: Mark Stoops Deal Nixed By Texas A&M Aggies Board Of Regents At Last Second
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Who would have thought Texas A&M's day could get crazier after blowing a 10-point lead to LSU in Baton Rouge?
That was just the beginning of the madness.
The Aggies are back at square one in the coaching search after it was reported that Kentucky's Mark Stoops was pegged to replace Jimbo Fisher. Stoops, coming off a 38-31 win over No. 10 Louisville, was expected to be named head coach Sunday before plans changed.
According to TexAgs, Stoops had begun telling people in Lexington he was leaving. Back in College Station, a deal had been set in place, but A&M's Board of Regents had not approved the contract to make him the 31st head coach in program history.
Following the report, an uprising began among A&M fans via social media and A&M fan websites. The board became aware of the backlash and decided to nix the deal at the final hour.
Stoops, who is in his 11th season with the Wildcats, announced on "X" his decision to stay with the program. While Stoops did not mention Texas A&M, he did say a program contacted him about a "potential opportunity."
"I have a great job at a place I love, and I get to work with the best administration and greatest fan base in college football right where I’m at," Stoops posted. "I’m excited to say I’m a Wildcat!"
Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops reacts during the third quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Kroger Field.
Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
Duke's Mike Elko and interim coach Elijah Robinson are expected to be the favorites for the opening heading into Sunday. According to a report, Clemson's Dabo Swinney has also emerged as a candidate. Arizona's Jedd Fisch and Ohio State's Ryan Day are other candidates, though Day is viewed as a longshot to land following the Buckeyes' 30-24 loss to Michigan.
Robinson coached A&M (7-5, 4-4 SEC) over its final two games following Fisher's firing. Players love the defensive line coach and have voiced their opinion on Robinson being named full-time head coach.
Stoops, 56, is the winningest coach in Kentucky football history with a career record of 73-64. Over his 11-year run in Lexington, he's led the Wildcats to two 10-win seasons and made them bowl-eligible for eight consecutive years.
A&M, which fired Fisher after going 11-11 over his final seasons with the program, has not posted a 10-win season since 2012 under Kevin Sumlin. Athletic director Ross Bjork is expected to finalize a deal with the next head coach in the coming days.
Robinson will coach the Aggies in their bowl game later this month. Early expectations are that the Aggies will play in the Texas Bowl against a current Big 12 opponent.
