Paul Finebaum Names Major College Football Coach Who Needs to 'Show Proof of Life'

Paul Finebaum Names Major College Football Coach Who Needs to ‘Show Proof of Life’ originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The 2025 college football season brings a sense of hopeful redemption for several programs.

One of these is the Kentucky Wildcats, who had a disappointing record of 4-8 last season, their worst since 2013 when Mark Stoops first became head coach. A significant factor in their struggles was the offense, which ranked No. 114 in total offense, No. 112 in passing offense and No. 81 in rushing offense.

The Wildcats face uncertainty regarding their offensive performance in 2025. Offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan remains in his position, but Zach Calzada will replace quarterback Brock Vandagriff.

Calzada, however, hasn’t had much success in the SEC. During his two seasons with the Texas A&M Aggies, he threw for 2,318 yards, 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He then transferred to Incarnate Word for two seasons, where he achieved better results, throwing for 6,342 yards, 54 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.

On “The Paul Finebaum Show,” SEC Network analyst Paul Finebaum shared his thoughts on whether Kentucky can bounce back and qualify for a bowl game in 2025.

Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops.Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

“I think there’s a way,” Finebaum said. “I mean, getting to a bowl, especially when you have a schedule like Kentucky’s, is not impossible. If you win the four nonconference games, now that includes beating Louisville, but that should not be impossible to do … You have four wins and all you need is two more … I think a bowl game is possible. I think Stoops just has to show proof of life.”

ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) is a metric used to evaluate team strength and predict future performance throughout the season. This year, the FPI is not optimistic about Kentucky’s chances of making it to a bowl game.

The FPI forecasts that Kentucky will win only five games, just one more than last season. This would leave them below the six-win mark needed for guaranteed bowl eligibility.

A major factor behind this prediction is likely the team’s challenging schedule. Athlon Sports’ Kyle Wood ranks Kentucky’s schedule as one of the toughest in the conference. Before November, the Wildcats will host the Ole Miss Rebels, Texas Longhorns and Tennessee Volunteers, while also facing away games against the South Carolina Gamecocks and Georgia Bulldogs.

The second half of the season offers little relief. Kentucky will face road games against the Auburn Tigers, Vanderbilt Commodores and its rival, Louisville, in the season finale. Additionally, the Florida Gators will visit Lexington in November.

Kentucky opens the season against Toledo at 12:45 p.m. ET on Aug. 30.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.

Paul Finebaum Names Major College Football Coach Who Needs to ‘Show Proof of Life’

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