By Keith Taylor

Kentucky Today

Mark Stoops isn’t going anywhere after all.

Kentucky’s coach said on X early Sunday morning he is staying at after multiple reports this weekend linked him to the head coaching vacancy at Texas A&M.

Stoops, who is in his 11th season at Kentucky, did not specifically mention Texas A&M in his social media post, saying he was “contacted about a potential opportunity this weekend.”

The Wildcats surprised No. 9 Louisville 38-31 on the road Saturday amid rumors that morning that Stoops was the top candidate for Texas A&M, which fired Jimbo Fisher recently with a $76 million buyout.

Stoops put the rumor to rest around 1 a.m. after Aggieyell.com had reported it was a “done deal barring a last-minute collapse.”

“I know there’s been much speculation about me and my job situation the last couple of days. It’s true I was contacted about a potential opportunity this weekend, but after celebrating a big win against our rivals with players I love like family,” Stoops said on X. “I knew in my heart I couldn’t leave the University of Kentucky right now. I have a great job at a place I love, and I get to work with the best administration and greatest fan base in college football right where I’m at. I’m excited to say I’m a Wildcat!”

Kentucky (7-5, 4-4 SEC) is headed to a bowl game for a school-record eighth consecutive season under Stoops. The last time Kentucky enjoyed a stretch of at least eight straight winning seasons was from 1946 to 1956.

Stoops, 56, is the winningest coach in Kentucky football history with a career record of 73-64 and is currently under contract through the 2031 season.

Kentucky will learn its bowl destination next weekend.