Texas Adds Veteran Coach Mark Stoops to Bolster Staff Ahead of 2026 Season

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian added a major boost to his staff ahead of spring practice, naming former Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops as a special assistant. Stoops brings more than 30 years of coaching experience, including a 13-year tenure at Kentucky, where he became the winningest coach in program history with an 82–80 record, seven winning seasons, and four bowl victories.

After being let go following the 2025 season, Stoops joins Texas to provide veteran insight and guidance, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. His addition continues Sarkisian’s trend of integrating experienced coaches into his staff, following in the footsteps of Paul Chryst and Gary Patterson, both of whom previously served as special assistants, with Patterson moving on to become USC’s defensive coordinator.

The Longhorns are looking to return to College Football Playoff contention in 2026, and Stoops’ expertise could help stabilize the team’s defensive schemes. Meanwhile, the offense will look to build on the momentum of Heisman Trophy candidate Arch Manning, who ended the 2025 season on a strong note. With Stoops’ experience and leadership, Texas hopes to balance its coaching depth and position itself for a competitive campaign next season.