The University of Kentucky has officially extended head football coach Mark Stoops’ contract through 2022. This extension is coming off a 7-6 season, 4-4 in the SEC, and finishing 3rd in the East division. Don’t forget knocking off Louisville and Heisman winner Lamar Jackson at their place after being 28 point underdogs to cap off the regular season. The same season that started off by blowing a 25-point lead to Southern Miss. At home. Opening weekend.

The Big Blue Nation thought they were doomed. Coach Stoops thought otherwise, put his head down, and went to work.

People are asking, and rightfully so, how the hell did a guy with a 19-30 record and 8-24 in the SEC get such a big extension and make more than some bigger name coaches? I’ll answer that for you.

Coach Stoops has brought something to Lexington, Kentucky, that hasn’t been there for awhile during football season. Excitement.

Stoops started his career off with a bang when hired by bringing in the #34 recruiting class in less than two months. The next season? #22. Coach Stoops has been phenomenal on the recruiting trail with the help of coach Vince Marrow. The Wildcats have brought in classes ranked #34, #22, #38, #34, and #29 this season with a top 15 class as of right now for 2018. That is huge for Kentucky football.

Along with bringing in stellar recruits consistently he is also consistently improving. Stoops record each season went as follows: 2013 2-10 (0-8), 2014 5-7 (2-6), 2015 5-7 (2-6), and 2016 7-6 (4-4). Each year you can see improvement in Stoops’ teams and that is something Kentucky needs. Lets be honest, Kentucky football is not the most intriguing job so if we have to pay a man who is willing to work his butt off for us, why not?

Coach Stoop is going to keep knocking down doors and doing great things for the University of Kentucky.

Don’t flinch.