Mark Stoops on future: 'Like it or not, I'm a Kentuckian'

Jeff Faughender/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesMark Stoops is not going to apologize for calling Kentucky home. The Wildcats head coach is just 5-6 this year as the struggles continued Saturday in a 45-17 loss to Vanderbilt.

But, whether he returns next year or not (amid rumors that his tenure could be coming to an end), Stoops sent a clear message Monday. Heck, Kentucky can be bowl eligible if they beat Louisville this week.

“Whether you like it or not, I’m a Kentuckian now,” Stoops said. “This is home.”

As KSR outlined: “A year removed from his ‘pony up’ comments, to fans, it sounded like one big fat complaint about his job. The Kentucky head coach gets it. He just wants…