Tim Couch has watched the Kentucky program long enough to appreciate the longevity of Mark Stoops, who is now the longest-tenured coach in the SEC following Nick Saban’s retirement.

Couch made an appearance on “The Paul Finebaum Show” on Tuesday and reflected on Stoops’ impact on the program. Couch, who was recently announced as a new member of the College Football Hall of Fame, said the program saw ups and downs before Stoops arrived.

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“Coach Stoops leveled the playing field for us and made us very consistent, respected football team over the last 10, 12 years that he’s been here,” Couch said. “Going to bowl games, consistently winning bowl games, putting guys into the NFL, recruiting at a high level, developing guys. He does a phenomenal job, and his staff, they really do. … It’s fun to be a Kentucky football fan now because you know they’ve got a chance to be competitive week in and week out.”

Stoops has a host of milestones as coach of the Cats, including all-time winningest coach, including overall victories (73), wins in SEC play (35), victories at home (50) and wins over opponents ranked in AP Top 25 poll (13).