Mark Stoops has brought Kentucky football to new heights that it had not ever seen before. Kentucky recorded two 10-win seasons in the span of four years under Stoops from 2018 to 2021, something that had not been done since 1977. However, after going 7-6 last year in disappointing fashion, the BBN wanted to see Stoops get things turned around. That hasn’t happened, and now there are many people upset about the direction of the program.

Parents of Current Players

It was no secret that a ton of Kentucky’s key players struggled in Saturday’s loss. After all, that’s how you lose games, from not playing well. However, star RB Ray Davis’ lack of production wasn’t a means of struggling necessarily, but he had a lack of touches against South Carolina. Davis’ father, Raymond, commented on the issue as well, saying, “One of the best running backs in the country w 12 carries crazy.”

In addition, Donte Key, the father of Dane Key, expressed his own thoughts on X during the game. His statement was simple, saying, “This is f******* awful!” Despite Dane having four receptions for 51 yards, his father had to talk about the elephant in the room. Unfortunately, the parent frustration doesn’t end there.

Anonymously, a parent of a former player talked with KY Insider, and they had some pretty damning things to say about the UK football program. “Seems like the last two years there’s been a lack of grit and toughness that was kind of their calling card the previous 4 or 5 years,” the parent said. A lot of people are upset about the program, even from within.

Former Players

Yup, even some of Stoops’ former players aren’t happy with him and the direction the program is taking. The former Ole Miss turned UK LB Jacquez Jones was one of the players most upset with what he was watching. Jones also kept his feelings comprised in a simple post.

Then, one of the best to put on the Kentucky uniform under Stoops also let his voice be heard. Current LA Rams LB DeAndre Square also took his frustrations to X/Twitter on Saturday night. Square posted, “We gotta get our fight back .. idk where we lost it but we gotta get it back #BBN.” It would be nice to have some of the veteran leadership that Jones and Square brought to the team.

Ray Davis and Dane Key

Aaaaaaaand last, but certainly not least: Ray Davis. Just like his father, Davis was also frustrated with his lack of touches against South Carolina. After being one of the best running backs in the SEC all season long, Stoops and Coen went away from their fifth-year star. On X, Davis said, “it is what it is. Thought I was the bell cow”.

Davis has only gotten 172 carries this season compared to 232 as a Commodore last year. Despite having 990 yards on the ground and 17 total touchdowns, Kentucky went away from Davis during the most critical time of the season. Only Stoops and Coen can answer why, but it’s easy to see why Davis (and his father) aren’t happy.

He is not the only current player to make their frustration public either. While not publishing his own post, star wide receiver Dane Key liked a tweet from his brother that said “Free 6.”

Stoops brought back Liam Coen who was the OC in 2021’s 10-3 season. He brought in the No. 1 ranked QB in the transfer portal. He brought in RB Ray Davis, who set numerous records at Vanderbilt. Barion Brown, Dane Key, and Deone Walker all came back. All of those things happened, but Kentucky is just 6-5 coming off of a 21-14 loss to a now 5-6 South Carolina team.

The regression is apparent and because of that, there are A LOT of folks frustrated around the program.