Kentucky has appointed Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein as its new head football coach, marking a significant change for the program. The announcement was made on Monday, with Stein expressing his enthusiasm in a statement: “I’m honored and excited to become the next head coach at Kentucky. 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.”
Stein, 36, has signed a five-year contract with the Wildcats, according to sources familiar with the deal. He will continue his duties as offensive coordinator at Oregon through the team’s playoff run, as the Ducks finished the regular season with an impressive 11-1 record and ranked sixth in the most recent College Football Playoff standings.
Stein’s Coaching Background and Achievements
Before joining Kentucky, Stein built a strong reputation as one of the nation’s top offensive coordinators while at Oregon, where he has worked closely with notable quarterbacks. His coaching career includes a stint at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) from 2020 to 2022, where he served as co-offensive coordinator in his final year. Under his guidance, Oregon achieved a top 10 scoring offense in two of his three seasons. Stein has also coached two Heisman Trophy finalists: Bo Nix in 2023 and Dillon Gabriel in 2024.
Originally from Kentucky, Stein played quarterback at the University of Louisville from 2009 to 2012 and has deep ties to the Wildcats. Both of his parents attended Kentucky, and he has fond memories of attending games as a child. This connection to the program is one of the reasons he was chosen to lead the team following the departure of long-time coach Mark Stoops, who was let go after 13 seasons. The Wildcats struggled this past season, finishing with a 5-7 record after a 4-8 showing in 2024.
Focus on Offensive Development
Stein’s hiring comes with high expectations, particularly concerning the offensive performance of the Wildcats. The program has faced challenges in recent years, failing to produce a top-50 offense since the 2021 season and ranking no better than 100th in total offense over the past three seasons. In 2025, the Wildcats averaged just 341 yards per game, placing them at 105th nationally.
Stein’s offensive philosophy emphasizes a flexible and fast-paced approach, which could benefit the team’s promising redshirt freshman quarterback Cutter Boley. Boley had a solid debut season, throwing 15 touchdowns as a true freshman, and keeping him in Kentucky is a priority for the program.
“I played in the West Coast offense at Louisville,” Stein explained in an interview last year. “So [his offensive system] is all a derivative of that. We play fast and free and we put a lot on the quarterback, but we give them a lot of freedom, too.”
With Stein at the helm, Kentucky is optimistic about revitalizing its offensive strategy and enhancing its competitive edge in the coming seasons.
