New Era in Lexington: Kentucky Hires Will Stein to Ignite Offensive Firepower

📰 LEXINGTON, KY – In a swift, aggressive move that signals a dramatic philosophical shift for the program, the Kentucky Wildcats officially named Will Stein as their new head football coach late Monday night. The move took less than 24 hours after the departure of long-time coach Mark Stoops, ushering in an era centered on explosive offense and deep Kentucky roots.

Stein, 36, arrives in Lexington after spending the last three seasons guiding the Oregon Ducks’ high-powered attack, which consistently ranked among the nation’s best. Despite taking the head coaching role at Kentucky, Stein is reportedly expected to remain with Oregon as their offensive coordinator and playcaller throughout their upcoming College Football Playoff run, a reflection of the team’s 11-1 regular season record and top-10 ranking.

A Dream Come True for the Kentucky Native

For Stein, this appointment marks his first head coaching assignment and the fulfillment of a lifelong ambition.

“I’m honored and excited to become the next head coach at Kentucky,” Stein said in a statement. “Growing up in Kentucky and sitting in the stands at UK games as a kid, I could only dream of one day leading the Wildcats. This is truly a dream come true.”

The new coach has deep ties to the Big Blue Nation; his mother is a Kentucky graduate, and his father, Matt Stein, played defensive end for the Wildcats under Jerry Claiborne. Though Will played his collegiate football rival at the University of Louisville (2008-2012), he was a self-proclaimed “diehard” UK fan in his youth.

The Architect of High-Powered Offense

Stein’s appeal lies squarely in his offensive acumen. His system has consistently produced elite numbers and Heisman Trophy candidates.

During his three years at Oregon, the Ducks’ offense ranked in the national top 25 in both scoring and total yards every season. This year alone, Oregon ranks ninth nationally in points per game (38.2) and 13th in yards per game (465.2).

His offensive mantra, known as “Feed the Studs,” is a simple yet devastating philosophy focused on utilizing formations and play-calling to get the team’s best athletes the ball as frequently as possible. This approach has led to balanced success: this season, three different Oregon running backs have surpassed 481 rushing yards, all averaging more than six yards per carry, while six receivers have logged at least 23 catches.

Barnhart’s Vision for the Future

Kentucky Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart emphasized Stein’s track record in developing quarterbacks and his crucial connection to the state as defining factors in the hire.

“Will Stein brings an outstanding track record of developing elite quarterbacks and leading some of the most dynamic and successful offenses in college football,” Barnhart stated. “His deep connection to Kentucky… gives him a unique passion for this program and this community.”

Stein’s rapid ascension through the coaching ranks included stints as a graduate assistant at Louisville, a quality control coach at Texas, and co-offensive coordinator at UTSA, where he helped the Roadrunners field a top-10 offense before being hired by Dan Lanning at Oregon in 2022.

The hire represents a sharp departure from the defensive-minded tenure of Mark Stoops, whose last two seasons concluded with losing records, leading to his termination. With Stein now at the helm, Kentucky Football is poised to embrace an exciting, wide-open style of play in the highly competitive SEC.