Mark Stoops tabbed Coach of the Year candidate

Is Mark Stoops a contender for National Coach of the Year?

One 247 Sports writer thinks so.

247’s Brandon Marcello wrote in his weekly column that he thinks Stoops is one of the early candidates for the award.

Here’s a quick look at what Marcello had to say.

Kentucky made the biggest jump in the polls while you were sleeping and coach Mark Stoops has made a case to be the national coach of the year.

The unranked Wildcats knocked off top-10 Florida 20-13 in Lexington for the first time since 1986 to remain undefeated while recording a seventh straight win dating back to last season. Stoops has recorded a slew of “firsts” as Kentucky’s coach over the last nine seasons and more will come this season.

If the Kentucky Wildcats were to finish with 10+ wins, I think Stoops is definitely in the running for the award, as that would be a level of success very few could say they saw coming this season.

But there will be several other contenders for the award.

If Cincinnati ends up undefeated and in the College Football Playoffs, Luke Fickell would likely be a frontrunner, and even Sam Pittman and Lane Kiffin in the SEC could make a case. Kirk Ferentz and James Franklin will likely be in the running.

But Stoops should certainly be a contender if Kentucky keeps on the path it’s going. It’s nice to see national media members recognizing the success that Stoops is having in Lexington.