Mark Stoops’ 13-year run at Kentucky came to an end this week, as the program moves on from the most successful head coach it’s had in decades. Stoops delivered two of the school’s four 10-win seasons - a remarkable feat given Kentucky’s long football history and its traditional place in the SEC pecking order. But after a 9-15 stretch over the past two seasons, the Wildcats are hitting the reset button.
Now, the focus shifts to what’s next - and make no mistake, even with its challenges, the Kentucky job holds weight. It’s still an SEC gig, with the resources and recruiting power that come with it. And with the carousel spinning fast and most Power 4 jobs already filled - Penn State being the lone major opening - Kentucky could be a prime landing spot for some notable names.
Brent Key: A Tough, Proven Leader with SEC Roots
One name to keep an eye on is Brent Key, who’s quietly built something solid at Georgia Tech. Key, a Tech alum, has gone 27-19 over four seasons, including a 9-3 mark this year - his best yet. His teams are physical, disciplined, and have shown up in big moments, especially against Georgia, pushing the Bulldogs to the brink in back-to-back years.
Key also brings SEC experience to the table, having spent three seasons on Nick Saban’s staff at Alabama. That’s no small thing.
He knows the league, the expectations, and the grind. While leaving his alma mater wouldn’t be easy, the opportunity to lead an SEC program with more resources could be enough to get his attention.
Dan Mullen: A Proven Winner in the SEC Looking for a Return
Dan Mullen is another name that makes sense. He’s shown he can win in the SEC - and not just anywhere, but at Mississippi State, where he went 69-46 over nine seasons and cracked the Top 25 twice. Mullen then took Florida to three top-15 finishes before things unraveled in 2021.
After a few years in the ESPN studio, Mullen jumped back into coaching this year at UNLV and immediately turned heads with a 10-2 season and a spot in the Mountain West title game. He’s an offensive mind with a track record of maximizing talent - and if Kentucky wants someone who’s been through the SEC fire before, Mullen checks a lot of boxes.
Kane Wommack: Defensive Mind with Momentum
Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack is another intriguing option. At just 38, he’s already built a strong résumé. Before joining the Tide, he led South Alabama to a 22-16 record over three seasons - a massive improvement for a program that went 9-26 in the three years before he arrived.
Wommack brings energy, leadership, and a defensive pedigree that fits well in the SEC. He’s not likely to jump at just any head coaching offer, but Kentucky’s SEC status - and the platform that comes with it - could be a compelling step up.
Neal Brown: A Familiar Face with a Winning Track Record
Neal Brown is a name that will resonate in Lexington. He played wide receiver for the Wildcats from 1998 to 2000 and later served as the program’s offensive coordinator early in Stoops’ tenure. Brown left to become the head coach at Troy, where he went 35-16, won a Sun Belt title, and notched a signature win at LSU.
He later took over at West Virginia, compiling a 37-35 record, including a 9-4 campaign in 2023. Brown is currently a special assistant at Texas, but he’s been in the mix for several jobs this cycle and was a serious candidate at Colorado State. His Kentucky ties and head coaching experience make him a natural fit to watch.
Will Stein: A Rising Star with Bluegrass Roots
If Kentucky is looking for a fresh offensive mind, Oregon OC Will Stein is a name to circle. He’s one of the most respected young play callers in the country, and he’s helped keep Oregon’s offense humming under Dan Lanning. Stein’s background also gives him a strong connection to the region - he grew up in Louisville, played quarterback at Louisville, and his family has deep ties to Kentucky football.
Before Oregon, Stein climbed the coaching ranks through Texas high school football and UTSA, giving him valuable recruiting reach. He’s young, innovative, and already on the radar of several programs.
Brian Hartline: Elite Recruiter with Kentucky Connections
Ohio State OC Brian Hartline has been one of the best position coaches in college football for years. The list of elite wide receivers he’s recruited and developed is unmatched. This season, he’s taken on the offensive coordinator role and helped guide a new-look Buckeyes offense with a first-time QB and a revamped line - and he’s handled it well.
Hartline also brings some built-in ties to Kentucky. His brother, Mike Hartline, played quarterback for the Wildcats and later worked on Stoops’ staff. Recruiting has always been a major piece of Kentucky’s success under Stoops, especially in Ohio, and Hartline could help maintain - or even elevate - that pipeline.
Glenn Schumann: Defensive Architect with Championship Pedigree
Georgia DC Glenn Schumann is another name that will get serious consideration. He’s been part of six national championship teams as an assistant - four at Alabama, two at Georgia - and has steadily climbed the ladder under Kirby Smart. Schumann has helped build one of the most dominant defenses in college football year after year, and his time as a play caller has only strengthened his head coaching résumé.
Schumann’s rise has felt inevitable. The question has always been when, not if, he gets a shot to lead his own program. Kentucky could be that opportunity.
Kentucky may not be the flashiest job in the SEC, but it’s a job with real upside - especially for the right coach. The Wildcats have shown they can win with the right culture and vision in place.
Now, it’s about finding the next leader who can build on that foundation and take the program to the next level. With the coaching carousel moving quickly and the Power 4 market thinning, Kentucky might just be the most intriguing job left on the board.