The Mark Stoops era is over. The only person who doesn’t seem to realize it, or simply doesn’t care, is Mark Stoops.
Kentucky
It is time for Mark Stoops and Mitch Barnhart to leave Kentucky now
And because of the man who gave him that contract, Kentucky might be stuck in this nightmare.
Mitch Barnhart has been the Athletic Director since 2002. He has done great things for the university. But his refusal to adapt to modern college football, his obsession with “loyalty” over results, and his decision to hand out a lifetime contract with a massive buyout have crippled this program.
Stoops and Barnhart are now tethered together. If one goes, the other has to follow.
Stoops won’t make it easy on Barnhart
In the postgame press conference, after getting shut out 41-0 by Louisville, Stoops was asked if he would consider stepping down. His answer was defiant, bordering on arrogant.
“You think I’m going to walk away? You kidding me? Zero percent chance I walk away. I’m gonna be here as far as I’m concerned.”
He doubled down, adding: “Zero means zero. Zero percent chance I walk.”
Translation: Pay me my money.
Stoops knows the math. He knows he is owed roughly $37 million. He isn’t going to quit and leave that cash on the table. He is daring Mitch Barnhart to fire him.
The Mitch Barnhart problem
This is where the Athletic Director has failed. Barnhart created a situation where a coach who just lost 86-17 over the final two weeks of the season holds all the cards.
Barnhart prioritizes finances over winning. He took away tailgating to sell parking. He moved student sections to sell suites. He has treated the football program like a piggy bank rather than a competitive entity.
Now, that piggy bank is empty, and the bill is due.
There is zero reason to bring back a coach who just presided over the first shutout in the Governor’s Cup since 2004. Absolutely zero.
If Mitch Barnhart can’t figure out the money, if he can’t find the donors to fix the mess he created, then he isn’t the right man for the job anymore, either.
Clean house. Start over. Because what we watched on Saturday wasn’t just a loss; it was the death of a program’s culture.
While there’s mounting pressure to get rid of both, it remains a long shot that either one of them is relieved of their duties. Unless someone at UK other than Barnhart has both the ability and the courage to tell Stoops to leave, then it’s likely both will be back next year. And Kentucky football will be all the worse for it.
Kentucky
Kentucky woman, 35, charged with homicide after using abortion pills then burying fetus in backyard
A Kentucky woman was charged with fetal homicide after allegedly using abortion pills and burying the fetus in a Christmas-wrapped lightbulb box in her backyard — when she got pregnant following an affair.
Melinda Spencer, 35, was arrested Wednesday after going to a Campton health care clinic, where she told staff members she used medication purchased online to end her pregnancy, which is illegal in the state, according to Kentucky State Police, FOX 56 reported.
Police said Spencer allegedly admitted to taking the pills on Dec. 26 and burying the fetus — described as a “developed male infant” — two days later in a shallow grave at her Flat Mary Road home.
After obtaining a search warrant, cops found the remains wrapped in a white rag and stuffed in the holiday-decorated box inside a plastic bag, court documents showed.
Spencer later confessed that she allegedly ordered the pregnancy-ending drugs after conceiving with a man who was not her boyfriend, claiming she didn’t want him to find out, police said, per the outlet.
Authorities said she wanted to “abort the fetus on her own.”
It’s unclear how long she was pregnant before taking the pills.
An autopsy has reportedly been scheduled to establish how developed the fetus was.
In Kentucky, nearly all abortions are illegal, with a doctor only authorized to perform one to prevent death or serious injury to the mother.
There are no exceptions for rape or incest.
State law also bars the distribution of abortion medication.
Spencer was charged with first-degree fetal homicide, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and first-degree promoting contraband, the outlet reported.
The homicide offense makes her eligible for the death penalty. She also faces life behind bars if convicted.
Spencer is being held at Three Forks Regional Jail in Beattyville.
Kentucky
Lancaster resident describes Kentucky earthquake experience
LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – A 3.1 magnitude earthquake hit Kentucky Sunday afternoon with an epicenter between Richmond and Lancaster, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The USGS “Did You Feel It” survey received reports from people in Richmond, Danville, Stanford, Lancaster and Lexington.
Caroline Boyd, a retired nurse from Lancaster, was reading at home when the earthquake began at 12:47 p.m.
“I wouldn’t necessarily say shaking but it felt like a rumbling in my basement or even outside,” Boyd said.
Boyd said she felt and heard the ground beneath her rumble followed by a loud boom.
“I thought to myself what on earth is that? Because there is no trains or train station nearby, so I knew it was not a train. So, I just sat there and listened. I would say it lasted about 10 to 15 seconds,” Boyd said.
After the tremor, Boyd called her neighbors and then the sheriff’s office. Dispatchers told her there had been an earthquake.
Dustin Price, deputy director and public information officer for Garrad County Emergency Management Agency, said the agency first heard from Bluegrass 911 about reports of a loud boom and shaking.
“Approximately we were able to confirm through the state that there was a confirmed 3.1 magnitude earthquake that hit through Garrad County,” Price said.
No injuries or property damage were reported, according to Price.
Boyd said she was thankful the earthquake did not cause more serious problems.
“Even if I would’ve had to relocate if there was a problem. I have two pets, so it could’ve been really bad,” Boyd said.
Garrad County EMA said they are thankful for all the agencies who helped respond to the incident.
Copyright 2025 WKYT. All rights reserved.
Kentucky
3.2 magnitude earthquake with no immediate reports of damage confirmed in Garrard County
GARRARD COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — Governor Andy Beshear reports that a 3.2 magnitude earthquake has been reported in Garrard County.
“This range does not typically produce sizable damage – just shaking – and thankfully, that is all that’s been reported so far,” Beshear said on social media Sunday.
According to the Lincoln County EMA, the earthquake happened around 12:47 p.m. with a shallow depth of 8 kilometers.
NWS Louisville reports the location of the quake to have been near the Garrard/Madison County line.
Multiple agencies are also reporting no immediate reports of damage.
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