Mark Stoops at SEC Media Days: 'If you don't like change, you're going to like irrelevance even less'

Mark Stoops was the least head coach of Day 3 to take the stage at SEC Media Days in Nashville.

The tenured Kentucky head coach noted his excitement about a few incoming transfers and outlined Kentucky’s philosophy heading into the 2023 season.

The transfers, most notably Devin Leary and Ray Davis, will have some large shoes to fill. Gone are the days of Will Levis and Chris Rodriguez, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the Wildcats will take a step back. In fact, it’s likely to be the opposite.

It is a big change for the Wildcats though, especially with the loss of some veteran defenders such as Denadre Square, Jordan Wright and more. But change is a part of life and a part of football. Stoops recognizes that.

While at the podium, Stoops stated that, “If you don’t like change, you’re going to like irrelevance even less.”

Mark Stoops: “If you don’t like change, you’re going to like irrelevance even less.”

— Nick Roush (@RoushKSR) July 19, 2023

That can apply to a lot in the current state of college football, especially in the SEC. Just ask Oklahoma and Texas.

The Wildcats are only projected to win 7 games this season, what would be on par for last year’s 7-6 finish. But what Kentucky is looking for is growth.

The Wildcats have a tough schedule in 2023. They face Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and South Carolina, not to mention a sneaky difficult matchup at Mississippi State and the season finale against Louisville.