On November 27, 2012, Kentucky hired Mark Stoops to be their new head coach, replacing Joker Phillips as the new head coach.

2013: Led Kentucky to a 2-10 record.

2014: Led Kentucky to a 5-7 record.

2015: Led Kentucky to a 5-7 record.

2016: Led Kentucky to a 7-6 record. Lost the TaxSlayer Bowl 33-18 vs Georgia Tech.

2017: Led Kentucky to a 7-6 record. Lost the Music City Bowl 24-23 vs Northwestern.

2018: Led Kentucky to a 10-3 record and a #12 ranking to finish the season. Won the Citrus Bowl 27-24 vs Penn State.

2019: Led Kentucky to an 8-5 record. Won the Belk Bowl 37-30 vs Virginia Tech.

2020: Led Kentucky to a 5-6 record. Won the Gator Bowl 23-21 vs North Carolina State.

2021: Led Kentucky to an 0-3 record after 10 wins were vacated. Finished ranked #18. Won the Citrus Bowl 20-17 vs Iowa (vacated win).

2022: Led Kentucky to a 7-6 record. Lost the Music City Bowl 21-0 vs Iowa.

2023: Led Kentucky to a 7-6 record. Lost the Gator Bowl 38-35 vs Clemson.

2024: Led Kentucky to a 4-8 record.

2025: Led Kentucky to a 5-7 record. Was fired on December 1st, 2025. Had an overall record of 82-80 at Kentucky, with 8 bowl game appearances and 4 bowl game wins (one bowl game win vacated).