Trending Now - Mark Stoops Joins SEC Coaching Staff Amid Early Hot Seat Talk
WHO:
Mark Stoops, former head coach of Kentucky Wildcats
Steve Sarkisian, head coach of Texas Longhorns
Mitch Barnhart, athletic director of Kentucky
Will Muschamp, new defensive coordinator for Texas
Blake Gideon, passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach for Texas
Kalen DeBoer, head coach of Alabama
Ryan Silverfield, head coach of Arkansas
Alex Golesh, head coach of Auburn
Jon Sumrall, head coach of Florida
Kirby Smart, head coach of Georgia
Will Stein, new head coach of Kentucky
Lane Kiffin, head coach of LSU
Jim Knowles, new defensive coordinator for Tennessee
LaNorris Sellers, quarterback for South Carolina
Jeremiah Donati, athletic director of South Carolina
Bill Belichick, head coach of North Carolina
Mike Elko, head coach of Texas A&M
Clark Lea, head coach of Vanderbilt
WHAT:
Mark Stoops was hired as a special assistant by Texas Longhorns.
Stoops was fired by Kentucky after the 2025 season, ending a 13-year tenure.
Stoops had a record of 82-80 at Kentucky, with seven winning seasons.
Stoops will receive over $37 million in a buyout over two years.
Texas made changes to its defensive staff, hiring Will Muschamp and Blake Gideon.
Alabama's Kalen DeBoer is under pressure to improve after a 2025 record of 11-4.
Arkansas hired Ryan Silverfield after a 2025 record of 2-10.
Auburn hired Alex Golesh after a 2025 record of 5-7.
Florida hired Jon Sumrall after a 2025 record of 4-8.
Georgia's Kirby Smart is focusing on filling roster gaps after a 2025 record of 12-2.
Kentucky hired Will Stein, who brought in 34 players from the transfer portal.
LSU's Lane Kiffin is conducting his first spring practices after a 2025 record of 7-6.
Tennessee's new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is overhauling the secondary.
South Carolina finished the 2025 season with a record of 4-8.
Texas A&M finished the 2025 season with a record of 10-3.
Vanderbilt finished the 2025 season with a record of 10-3.
WHERE:
Texas Longhorns, Austin, Texas
Kentucky Wildcats, Lexington, Kentucky
Alabama, SEC
Arkansas, SEC
Auburn, SEC
Florida, SEC
Georgia, SEC
LSU, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Tennessee, SEC
South Carolina, SEC
Texas A&M, SEC
Vanderbilt, Nashville, Tennessee
WHEN:
Stoops was fired after the 2025 season.
Stoops' hiring by Texas was reported on March 3, 2026.
Alabama's Kalen DeBoer is under pressure for the 2026 season.
Arkansas hired Ryan Silverfield after the 2025 season.
Auburn hired Alex Golesh after the 2025 season.
Florida hired Jon Sumrall after the 2025 season.
Georgia's Kirby Smart is focusing on the 2026 season.
Will Stein's hiring at Kentucky occurred after Stoops' firing.
Lane Kiffin began spring practices at LSU in March 2026.
Tennessee's Jim Knowles is implementing changes for the 2026 season.
South Carolina finished the 2025 season in December 2025.
Texas A&M finished the 2025 season with a record of 10-3.
Vanderbilt finished the 2025 season with a record of 10-3.
WHY:
Stoops was fired due to back-to-back losing seasons (4-8 and 5-7).
Athletic director Mitch Barnhart made the decision to fire Stoops.
Alabama's Kalen DeBoer needs to improve after a disappointing 2025 season.
Arkansas hired Ryan Silverfield to turn around a struggling program.
Auburn hired Alex Golesh to restore stability after a poor season.
Florida hired Jon Sumrall to improve after a disappointing record.
Georgia is focusing on filling roster gaps due to player departures.
Will Stein was hired to revitalize Kentucky's program after Stoops' exit.
Lane Kiffin aims to improve LSU's performance after a mediocre season.
Tennessee's Jim Knowles is tasked with improving a struggling defense.
South Carolina aims to rebound after a disappointing 2025 season.
HOW:
Stoops will work primarily with the Texas defense, leveraging his background in defensive backs.
Texas made significant changes to its coaching staff to improve performance.
Alabama made coaching changes to address poor offensive performance.
Arkansas is utilizing the transfer portal to bolster its roster.
Auburn is bringing in players familiar with the new coaching staff.
Florida is focusing on offensive improvements with new coaching hires.
Georgia is looking to develop younger players to fill gaps in the roster.
Kentucky is undergoing a major overhaul with a new head coach and numerous transfers.
LSU is focusing on improving its offensive line and overall performance.
Tennessee is overhauling its secondary with new recruits and transfers.
Mark Stoops has been hired as a special assistant by the Texas Longhorns after being fired from Kentucky, where he had a record of 82 wins and 80 losses over 13 seasons. Meanwhile, Texas has made significant changes to its defensive staff, bringing in Will Muschamp and Blake Gideon to enhance performance. In other coaching news, Alabama's Kalen DeBoer, Arkansas's Ryan Silverfield, Auburn's Alex Golesh, and Florida's Jon Sumrall are all looking to improve their programs after disappointing seasons last year.