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Former Arizona head coach Mike Stoops joining brother at Kentucky

By Eric Townsend

NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 16: Defensive coordinator Mike Stoops of the Oklahoma Sooners takes the field before the game against the Tulane Green Wave at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated Tulane 56-14. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 16: Defensive coordinator Mike Stoops of the Oklahoma Sooners takes the field before the game against the Tulane Green Wave at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated Tulane 56-14. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
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Making news in the College Football world, we’ve learned that former Arizona head coach Mike Stoops is teaming up with younger brother Mark at Kentucky!

It’s been a busy off-season of College Football, and for former Arizona head coach Mike Stoops that’s certainly been the case as well, especially as he heads to Kentucky to join younger brother, and former Arizona defensive coordinator, Mark Stoops!

For those that haven’t kept up, Stoops will be moving on from Alabama, which now seemingly serves as a sort of coaching rehab for former head coaches.

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Arizona Wildcats

If you haven’t paid attention, Alabama has taken in former head coaches like; Lane Kiffin, Steve Sarkisian and Stoops over the past few years, and interestingly enough, the Crimson Tide will now add Charlie Strong as a Defensive Analyst.

As for Stoops, since he and Arizona parted ways in 2011, he returned to Oklahoma as Defensive Coordinator, coaching with the Sooners from 2012-18. And this past year, he spent his lone season in Tuscaloosa as a Defensive Analyst.

Now he will be jumping back into the coaching ranks, once again serving as a Defensive Coordinator, this time under his other brother Mark at Kentucky!

The news of Stoops heading to Lexington made the rounds a few weeks ago, and it’ll be interesting to not only see the two brothers teaming up again, but perhaps more importantly, is that two former Arizona coaches will be teaming up together once again!

The challenge ahead will be certainly be daunting, especially as the SEC is notoriously known as a tough place to win. But luckily for him, Stoops will be taking over a group that finished No. 21 overall in all of FBS last season.

The biggest challenge will be replacing a big time play maker like Kash Daniel, and we will see what happens this season!

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Either way, we are incredibly happy for Coach Stoops, and are hopeful he can find immediate success! At Zona Zealots, we wish Mike luck and as always, Bear Down, Arizona!

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