As we count down the days until kickoff (50 to go!), ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg undertook the arduous task ranking all 130 coaches in the FBS…by their playing careers. Where did Mark Stoops, a former defensive back for the Iowa Hawkeyes, rank? Almost smack dab in the middle at No. 67.
67. Mark Stoops, Kentucky Wildcats: Stoops followed his older brothers Bob and Mike to Iowa, where he, too, played defensive back. He earned three letters from 1987 to 1989, had two interceptions and played for four Hawkeye bowl teams.
A few years ago on an SEC Teleconference, Stoops was asked if he, the coach, would recruit him, the player.