Mark Stoops at SEC Media Days 2024: 3 interesting things Kentucky HC said at Dallas event

Mark Stoops at SEC Media Days 2024 is suddenly the dean of SEC coaches. Yes, with the retirement of Nick Saban, Stoops is the longest-tenured coach in the league.

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey noted in introducing him that he's the lone coach still in the same role as when Sankey was hired. As the crafty veteran in the room, there was plenty to learn from Mark Stoops at SEC Media Days 2024.

3 interesting things said by Mark Stoops at SEC Media Days 2024

Brent Venables' hiring at Oklahoma drew positive notice from Mark Stoops at SEC Media Days 2024 due to ties of Venables with the Stoops family. (Photo credit: IMAGN)

#1 The Texas A&M situation was very much real

It was probably a given that the question would come up. But early in Stoops' question session, he was asked about nearly leaving Kentucky for Texas A&M. Indeed, for a few hours early in the offseason, it seemed that Stoops would be the new Texas A&M coach.

For his part, Stoops was fairly coy about the situation.

"I was pursued pretty aggressively by them and we'll leave it at that, out of respect for everyone involved," said Stoops. He did soon note, "I love being at Kentucky."

The Aggies, of course, ended up with Mike Elko, while Stoops returned to Kentucky, where he took over in 2013.

#2 Kind words for Calipari

Perhaps it was inevitable, given the fairly tempestuous relationships within Kentucky athletics, but Stoops was asked about John Calipari. He had mostly positive comments about his interaction with the former Kentucky basketball coach.

"I wish the best for him," Stoops said of Calipari. "He and I had a really good relationship for a really long time. There was one blip on there."

That blip came when Calipari called Kentucky "a basketball school" in August 2022, while trying to justify facilities upgrades for the basketball program. Stoops and athletic director Mitch Barnhart were among many who publicly took exception to those comments.

"I'm sure he'll be very successful at Arkansas," noted Stoops.

#3 Stoops is close to the new Oklahoma coach

A connection surfaced when Stoops was asked about Oklahoma. Of course, his brother Bob was the coach of the Sooners from 1999 to 2016. Stoops maintains ties to the team and is close to coach Brent Venables.

"Brent (Venables) was almost like a brother to the Stoops family, he played at Kansas State with Bob," noted Stoops. "Both Bob & Mike [also a Stoops brother, and former Arizona coach] had a lot of confidence in him as a coach. Obviously he's produced. It's fun to have someone you know & care about in that position."

The Wildcats won't play the Sooners this year, but Kentucky's biggest win in program history came over then-No. 1 Oklahoma in the 1951 Sugar Bowl.

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