LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Kentucky Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart announced Monday that the university is making a change at head football coach, ending Mark Stoops’ 13-season tenure leading the Wildcats.

In a statement released by UK Athletics, Barnhart said he informed Stoops that the program “has decided to go in a new direction.”

“I want to thank Mark for his dedication and leadership over the past 13 years, and as importantly, the friendship that is marked by walking these journeys together,” Barnhart said. “His tenure transformed the program and reset expectations. His time here was filled with memorable victories, a historic run of consecutive bowl appearances, and a commitment to developing young men both on and off the field.”

Barnhart said the university is “committ

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