While Mark Stoops earned a much tighter hold on his job thanks to Kentucky’s undefeated start and climb into the AP Top 25, his brother Mike lost his.

Oklahoma fired defensive coordinator Mike Stoops on Monday following the team’s 48-45 loss to Texas last Saturday. Mark Stoops had encouraging words for his brother when asked about the situation during Wednesday’s SEC Coaches Teleconference.

With the No. 18 Wildcats on a bye this week, here’s everything their coach had to say Wednesday:

On areas of improvement he’d like to see:

  • Consistency offensively. Big plays offensively. We’ve been off a bit, just very little, sometimes longer. Getting guys open, protection. We need to continue to work on the passing game.

Is this the strongest East you’ve been a part of?

  • I think that’s fair to say. … In my time here, top to bottom, everyone on your side is capable of beating you.

On if he’s talked to his brother Mike:

  • Yeah, it’s a tough situation. I feel for him. Mike’s done a great job, been part of a number of championships. If you know Mike, he handles things like a man. He will land on his feet.

On the A&M game, how good is the open date after that one?

  • It’s been two years in a row having the bye in the middle of the season. It’s good for me. We make the best of it no matter where it falls. The A&M game was very physical, so we could use a few days off.

Did that game feel like it was 20 years ago?

  • It did. Being a defensive guy, I enjoyed it. I was proud of my team for their continued fight. It was a great defensive game, and both punters were outstanding. That (A&M) punter is a weapon. That dude was great.