Hours after it was reported Texas A&M was working to hire Mark Stoops, that work has now been undone.
Stoops will be staying at Kentucky, sources confirmed to FootballScoop late, late Saturday night. The news was first reported by Kentucky Sports Radio's Matt Jones and TexAgs's Billy Liucci.
I can confirm Matt's breaking news here. Fully expecting Stoops to remain in Lexington. https://t.co/R1jySQx11w
— Billy Liucci (@billyliucci) November 26, 2023
The full truth may be known only to Stoops, A&M AD Ross Bjork and their inner circles, the two hours where Stoops's hiring appeared imminent were filled with almost universal disdain across Aggieland. Not quite Greg Schiano-to-Tennessee, but close enough to get the point across.
If the news leaking Saturday night was a trial balloon, the balloon was punctured just as the trial began.
And so that's Saturday for the Texas A&M coaching search. We'll see what Sunday holds.
Update> And now Mark Stoops himself has shared this on Twitter:
I know there’s been much speculation about me and my job situation the last couple of days. It’s true I was contacted about a potential opportunity this weekend, but after celebrating a big win against our rivals with players I love like family, I knew in my heart I couldn’t…
— Mark Stoops (@UKCoachStoops) November 26, 2023