As the college football landscape evolves, so too do the perceptions surrounding its head coaches. This offseason, the rankings reflect a stark shift in opinions, particularly around coaches like Mark Stoops of Kentucky. Just last year, Stoops was riding high in the rankings, touted as a consensus top-25 coach helming what many considered one of the best jobs in the sport. However, following a challenging 4-8 season in 2025, Stoops has seen his stock take a nosedive, dropping 16 spots in CBS Sports’ latest power conference coach rankings from No. 20 to No. 36.
The dynamics of coaching can often be cruel, especially when expectations change. When a program is perceived as underperforming, the margin for error shrinks dramatically. As CBS Sports pointed out, “When you’re the coach at a program with low expectations, they love you when you exceed them. But the moment you fall back down to Earth, where everybody thinks you should be? Well, it gets rough.” Stoops enjoyed a remarkably consistent tenure from 2016 to 2023, but last year’s setback has cost him in the eyes of voters.
Interestingly, the rankings featured a wide range of opinions about him. While the highest ballot still placed him within the top 25 at No. 24, the lowest dipped as low as No. 58, showcasing a significant disparity in how coaches are viewed. Of the 68 coaches ranked, Stoops still sits atop several other SEC competitors, maintaining the position of 10th in what is arguably the toughest conference in college football. Yet, the broader concerns about the Kentucky program’s trajectory cannot be ignored.
This offseason has been anything but smooth for the Wildcats. A complete roster overhaul following a disappointing 2024 campaign means that many new faces will emerge as part of the program in 2025. Meanwhile, Stoops made the decision to uphold continuity in his coaching staff despite the previous year’s struggles. This dual approach has led many to predict another uphill battle in a challenging schedule, contributing to the overall lack of optimism surrounding the program.
As the fall season approaches, all eyes will be on Stoops and the Wildcats. Can they harness this perceived underdog status to silence the critics and flip the narrative? Time will tell if this seasoned coach can engineer a turnaround that reestablishes Kentucky as a contender in college football. For now, the indexing of coaches underscores the cyclical nature of power in this sport, reminding us how swiftly fortunes can change.
For those tracking the coach rankings, here’s a look at the list from No. 26 to No. 68:
- Kalani Sitake (BYU)
- P.J. Fleck (Minnesota)
- Shane Beamer (South Carolina)
- Mike Elko (Texas A&M)
- Brent Key (Georgia Tech)
- Dave Doeren (NC State)
- Matt Rhule (Nebraska)
- Deion Sanders (Colorado)
- Mike Gundy (Oklahoma State)
- Sonny Dykes (TCU)
- Mark Stoops (Kentucky)
- Pat Narduzzi (Pittsburgh)
- Dave Aranda (Baylor)
- Jedd Fisch (Washington)
- Luke Fickell (Wisconsin)
- Willie Fritz (Houston)
- Rich Rodriguez (West Virginia)
- Greg Schiano (Rutgers)
- Manny Diaz (Duke)
- Billy Napier (Florida)
- Fran Brown (Syracuse)
- Hugh Freeze (Auburn)
- Joey McGuire (Texas Tech)
- Jonathan Smith (Michigan State)
- Bill O’Brien (Boston College)
- Barry Odom (Purdue)
- Brent Venables (Oklahoma)
- Clark Lea (Vanderbilt)
- Bill Belichick (North Carolina)
- Justin Wilcox (California)
- Jake Dickert (Wake Forest)
- Sam Pittman (Arkansas)
- Sherrone Moore (Michigan)
- Mike Locksley (Maryland)
- Scott Satterfield (Cincinnati)
- DeShaun Foster (UCLA)
- Scott Frost (UCF)
- Brent Pry (Virginia Tech)
- David Braun (Northwestern)
- Tony Elliott (Virginia)
- Brent Brennan (Arizona)
- Frank Reich (Stanford)
- Jeff Lebby (Mississippi State)
As the seasons change, so too do the prospects for these coaches and their programs, each vying for respect and a shot at the glory that comes with college football success.
