Hirings, firings and a timeline: Kentucky's Mark Stoops discusses staffing changes

LEXINGTON, Ky. — As Mark Stoops prepares to hire his sixth offensive coordinator in 10 years as Kentucky's head football coach, he asked for patience Monday. Given that filling the position has become old hat for Stoops — this is the third straight year the offensive coordinator spot has opened — he won't rush into making a hire.

"I just want to do my job, and after 10 years, I don't feel any heat or pressure, if you will, from any outside source, whether it be a recruit, a current player, a media member, a fan, the loudest person on Twitter," Stoops said. "It does not affect me. I want to do what's right. It doesn't mean I'm perfect. I don't think I've got it all figured out. But I need to do it the way I'm comfortable with and the way it's been successful for me. Let me get the best person I can at the right time."

Since dismissing the Wildcats' former offensive coordinator, Rich Scangarello, last week, Stoops said the only time he's stopped was a brief period Tuesday, Nov. 29, when he had surgery to repair his rotator cuff.

"But I was back at work on Wednesday," he said, "so it was all right."

Stoops declined to provide insight as to why he so quickly parted ways with Scangarello, who spent just 12 games as OC.

"I think he's a very good football coach, very bright," Stoops said. "Sometimes things don't work out and sometimes you need to make a change for a variety of reasons. Again, I don't want to throw one or two of those out there and have it grab a headline. But obviously, I felt the change was needed or I would not have done it."

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At the beginning of the season, the pieces appeared to be in place to have one of the best offenses in Kentucky history. The Wildcats had a future NFL draft pick at quarterback in Will Levis. They boasted one of the best running backs in school history with Chris Rodriguez. They added dynamic receivers via the transfer portal (Tayvion Robinson began his college career at Virginia Tech) and the high school ranks (stud freshmen Barion Brown and Dane Key).

But the unit slogged its way through the 2022 campaign.

The Wildcats never reached the 40-point mark after accomplishing that feat five times last season. This season, the most yards they amassed was 480 against FCS school Youngstown State. In 2021, UK had three games of 500 or more, highlighted by 707 against New Mexico State − the second-best single-game total in program history.

Kentucky finished the regular season as the SEC's worst offense in both points (22.1) and yards (336.3) per game.The offensive line also struggled immensely, giving up 42 sacks. The 3.5-sacks-permitted-per-game average tied for 124th in the 131-team FBS.

Now, Stoops is looking for a coach to jump-start the stagnant group.

He said he spoke with one candidate Sunday and plans to meet with another later this week.

"I feel like there are some very good options out there and I'm not going to limit myself," Stoops said. "So we'll see where it goes. But I'm optimistic. I'm excited. Each time this position seems to open up, there's even more and more interest in the job, which is a good sign to me."

One option that isn't on the table: hiring someone already working for the Wildcats. For this hire, Stoops said, he'll find Scangarello's successor outside Lexington. And while prior SEC experience is nice, it isn't a prerequisite.

"Coaching is coaching. If they have some experience in the SEC? Great," Stoops said. "Otherwise, what Power 5 conferences were they in? What's their experience? What are they bringing? Are they proven to be a recruiter? Are they proven to bring some experience in special teams or other areas. ... There's a different value for each and every coach. Ultimately, we're trying to get to the best coaches we can."

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In terms of a specific philosophy or scheme he wants in the next coordinator, Stoops still values two traits his program has been built upon: balance and physicality. But he won't hire another coach who brings in an overly complex system; Scangarello's pro-style offense involved complicated terminology, which at times took the Wildcats deep into the 40-second play clock.

"Running a play every 37, 38 seconds, I definitely want to look at that," Stoops said. "I'm not interested in going that slow."

Nor is Stoops content with his offense dinking and dunking its way toward the end zone — and too often coming up empty.

"I want what I think what everybody wants," he said. "and that's ultimately to score points. … I believe in getting the ball downfield and explosive plays. That's something that I want to get better."

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While he'll listen to input from those he trusts, Stoops said he'll handle the coordinator search "pretty much by myself."

With a few tweaks, Stoops believes the offense can be a potent attack once more.

"I think we have good pieces. I don't think we're far off," he said. "I think we got caught short in a couple spots this year and we need to address that and get back to work — because we're not far off. As bad as it all felt to all of us at times in falling short of our goals, we're a few plays away from winning two more (games)."

Above all, Stoops said he'll know when he's found the right coordinator.

"You've got to trust your instincts and make sure you stay true to them," he said. "What's most important to you? What do I believe in this current environment?"

Stoops has 'person in mind' to fill RB coach vacancy

The day before Stoops fired Scangarello, he let go of running backs coach/co-special teams coordinator John Settle.

Stoops said Monday he "already had a person in mind" to replace Settle but didn't want to make the candidate public just yet.

He didn't mind listing off characteristics he sought, though.

"Obviously a dynamic person, a person who can handle the room and coach his position," Stoops said. "Once again, just as I talk about players, that talent level has to be there. That's first and foremost. But then I think personality matters. Bringing something else to it. Are you a dynamic recruiter? Do you bring something in special teams?"

The answer contained a pair of subtle shots at Settle.

Special teams, aside from the return game, have been a weak point for the Wildcats all season. Most notably, the field goal/extra point team, which had five kicks blocked this fall, tied for 125th in the country.

The other area where Settle scuffled during his two seasons at Kentucky came on the recruiting trail.

According to 247Sports database, Settle wasn't credited with helping sign a single prospect as a UK assistant.

Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @RyanABlack.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky football: Mark Stoops won't rush into hiring new OC