Breaking News: Evelyn ‘Dee Dee’ Stoops, Mother of Kentucky Football Coach Mark Stoops, Dies Today
The Kentucky football community and the greater world of college athletics are mourning the loss of Evelyn “Dee Dee” Stoops, the beloved matriarch of the storied Stoops family, who passed away today. Her death marks the end of an era for one of college football’s most prominent families and leaves behind a legacy built on love, strength, and unwavering support for her children and grandchildren — many of whom have gone on to shape the landscape of football across the United States.
Dee Dee Stoops was not just the mother of Kentucky football head coach Mark Stoops, nor solely the guiding force behind former Oklahoma head coach and national champion Bob Stoops, nor just the proud parent of longtime college and NFL assistant coach Mike Stoops and athletic administrator Ron Stoops Jr. She was the soul of the Stoops family — the cornerstone who raised four boys into fierce competitors, principled leaders, and compassionate fathers. Known for her humility, sharp wit, and enduring faith, Dee Dee Stoops represented the quiet strength that propelled her family into football immortality while always remaining rooted in her core values.
Born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio, Dee Dee’s life story reads like a testament to resilience and purpose. A product of the Rust Belt, she experienced firsthand the grit and toughness that would come to define the Stoops name in football circles. She met and married Ron Stoops Sr., a former college football player turned high school coach and educator, and together they instilled in their sons a sense of discipline, integrity, and ambition. While Ron Sr. passed away unexpectedly in 1988, Dee Dee never faltered in carrying on their shared mission — raising their sons to reach their potential not just as athletes and coaches, but as good men.
For many within and outside of the family, Dee Dee Stoops was the true “head coach” of the household. Friends, neighbors, and even her sons’ coaching colleagues have often shared stories of her powerful influence behind the scenes. Whether it was attending games from the high school level all the way up to Bowl Championship Series clashes, sending hand-written notes to her sons before big games, or simply offering a comforting voice in moments of chaos or loss, Dee Dee was always there — steady and selfless. She played a pivotal role in shaping the personal values that her sons took with them into every locker room, every sideline, and every recruiting visit.
Her youngest son, Mark Stoops, currently entering his 13th season as head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats, has never shied away from acknowledging how much his mother meant to his journey. Through good seasons and bad, through injuries and triumphs, he has leaned on the lessons instilled in him from an early age: humility, perseverance, and empathy. On countless occasions, Mark has mentioned how his mother taught him to treat others with respect and to be a fierce advocate for those without a voice — values that have shaped the culture of the Kentucky program under his watch.
Today, as news of her passing spreads, tributes are pouring in from across the college football world. Bob Stoops, who led Oklahoma to a national championship in 2000 and now serves as a figurehead and ambassador for the Sooners, released a brief but emotional statement: “Our mom was everything. Her love, her toughness, her compassion — she gave us the blueprint for how to live, how to lead, and how to love. We are heartbroken, but also grateful to have had her for as long as we did. She was our hero.” Bob, often known for his stoic demeanor, has in recent years become more open about the immense influence his mother had on his coaching and life philosophy.
Mike Stoops, who has coached alongside both of his brothers at various points during his long career, often credited his mother for giving him the internal fortitude to endure the highs and lows of the coaching grind. “She believed in us before we believed in ourselves,” he once said during a radio interview. “She pushed us, sure, but it was always rooted in love. There were never any shortcuts in our house. You worked for everything — and you did it with character.”
Even beyond the football field, Dee Dee Stoops was a beloved figure in her community. A devout Catholic and active parishioner, she was involved in numerous church and charitable activities in Youngstown over the years. She volunteered regularly and was known for her open-door policy — both literally and figuratively. Whether it was a neighbor in need of a home-cooked meal, a struggling student needing encouragement, or a young athlete searching for guidance, Dee Dee was there. She had a remarkable ability to make everyone feel like family, and that maternal warmth touched thousands of lives in ways that can never be fully measured.
Former players who came into contact with the Stoops family during recruiting visits or through coaching stints often recall how inviting and grounded Dee Dee was. One former Kentucky player posted on social media today, “She treated me like a grandson when I visited during my recruitment. She had a way of making you feel seen. Coach Stoops is who he is because of her.” Another former Oklahoma staffer shared, “The first time I met Bob’s mom, she asked me how my mom was doing. That’s who she was. Always thinking about others.”
As college football continues to evolve into a high-stakes industry filled with NIL deals, conference realignments, and pressure-packed environments, the Stoops name remains synonymous with old-school values. That enduring respect is largely thanks to the foundation Dee Dee helped build. She was never concerned with headlines or accolades. Her scoreboard was measured by the impact her sons made on their players, their staff, and their communities. And by that metric, she’s a champion a hundred times over.
The timing of her death will surely be difficult for Mark Stoops, who is in the heart of Kentucky’s spring football preparations. However, if there’s one thing his mother taught him, it was how to lead in times of adversity. The program, the fan base, and his players are all rallying around him now, offering support in the same way he’s given it to them over the past decade-plus in Lexington. The university released a statement this afternoon expressing condolences and gratitude for the life of Evelyn Stoops, calling her “a force of grace and strength who raised one of college football’s most impactful coaching families.”
In a sports culture often driven by statistics and championships, it’s sometimes easy to forget the human stories behind the names on our screens. Evelyn “Dee Dee” Stoops never sought the spotlight, but her fingerprints are all over the successes of her sons and the countless lives they’ve touched. Her influence transcended touchdowns and trophies — she was a moral compass, a quiet warrior, and a relentless giver of love and wisdom.
The Stoops family has not yet released full details about funeral services, but a private ceremony is expected to be held in Youngstown in the coming days. In the meantime, members of the football and academic communities are being encouraged to honor her memory by sharing stories and memories — the kind of legacy that doesn’t fade with time. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to the Youngstown Catholic Charities or to local youth sports organizations, two causes that meant a great deal to Dee Dee.
As the Stoops brothers gather to mourn their beloved mother, they will undoubtedly find comfort in one another and in the massive outpouring of support from around the country. Their bond has always been their strength, and that unity was forged in the living room, the kitchen, and the heart of a home presided over by one of the most remarkable women college football has ever known — even if she never stepped on the field herself.
Evelyn “Dee Dee” Stoops is gone, but her story is not over. It continues in every young player given a second chance, in every coach who leads with principle, and in every act of kindness carried out in her name. Her legacy lives on in the example she set — a life marked not by the pursuit of fame, but by the daily act of lifting others.
Rest in peace, Dee Dee. The game was better because of you.