Kentucky football coach Mark Stoops made an impassioned defense of his program following recent comments made by Wildcats basketball coach John Calipari.
After Calipari called Kentucky a “basketball school” in an interview, Stoops responded on Twitter and then clarified his comments after practice Saturday, ESPN reported.
“When you start talking about my program and the others that we compete against — me, I don’t,” Stoops said. “I’m going to stay the course. So it’s to protect our players, to protect the work we’ve done. And believe me, we want to keep pushing. But don’t demean or distract from the hard work and dedication and commitment that people have put in to get to this point. I don’t need to apologize for it and I won’t.”
Calipari called the university a “basketball school” in an interview and noted recently approved upgrades to other Kentucky programs. Stoops responded to the remarks on Twitter, saying, “Basketball school? I thought we competed in the SEC?” He ended with the hashtag “#4straightpostseasonwins,” referring to the Wildcats’ recent success on the gridiron.
Stoops also recognized his university’s long history of success in basketball, having won eight men’s national championships.
“We understand the history,” he said. “It’s great. I embrace it and I love it, our basketball history. I’m proud of it. I love it. I didn’t have that history. We’re creating it.”
Calipari later commented on social media, saying he made a mistake in Kentucky’s athletic department compared to others and wanted to make it clear he would continue to support the Wildcats football team.
Calipari said he heard what Stoops had to say in response to his request for improvements to the basketball program’s practice facilities. Calipari says he reached out to Stoops on Thursday and will continue to try.
“Comparing our athletic department to others was bad for me. I have supported Mark and the football team through thick and thin. I will continue to support them and encourage them,” Calipari wrote.
The Kentucky coach then added, “Now I’m doing what I’ve done for 30 years: coaching my team and blocking fumbles.”
Calipari led Kentucky to its eighth NCAA championship in 2012, but has not reached the Final Four since 2015. The Wildcats were bounced by a 15th-ranked Saint Peter’s team in their NCAA Tournament opener last spring. Kentucky football is coming off its second 10-win season in four years under Stoops.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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