The University of Kentucky has found its next head coach, and it's bringing home a native son with a proven track record of offensive excellence. Will Stein, Oregon's offensive coordinator for the past three seasons, has been hired to lead the Kentucky Wildcats, marking a significant turning point for a program that just fired its longest-tenured coach.
The 36-year-old Stein replaces Mark Stoops, who was dismissed after 13 seasons following back-to-back losing campaigns and a humiliating 41-0 loss to rival Louisville. This represents Stein's first head-coaching position, but his resume speaks volumes about his ability to transform offensive units into national powerhouses.
A Kentucky Native Returns Home
What makes this hire particularly compelling is Stein's deep connection to the Commonwealth. A
former quarterback at Trinity High School and the University of Louisville, Stein grew up as a die-hard Kentucky fan, attending games at Commonwealth Stadium with his father, Matt, who was a walk-on player for the Wildcats from 1982-84.
"I grew up a die-hard Cats fan, actually. My dad played there, so I went to every game at Commonwealth Stadium," Stein told On3 Sports prior to the
2024-2025 season. This homecoming narrative adds an emotional dimension to what is fundamentally a strategic hire aimed at rebuilding a struggling program.
The Oregon Success Story
Stein's credentials at Oregon are undeniable. Over his three-year tenure with the Ducks, he's orchestrated one of the most dynamic offenses in college football.
Oregon's offense has averaged 37.7 points per game over the past three seasons—second in FBS behind only North Texas—with a remarkable 7.1 yards per play, which ranks first nationally.The numbers tell the story of consistent excellence:
- In 2023, Oregon ranked second in FBS for both scoring and total offense
- The Ducks scored a modern-era program record 81 points against Portland State in Stein's first game as offensive coordinator
- Oregon averaged 43.7 points per game in 2023, second only to LSU
- The Ducks finished the 2025 regular season 11-1 and earned a first-round College Football Playoff hosting spot
A Quarterback Whisperer
One of Stein's most impressive qualities is his ability to develop elite quarterback talent.
He's worked with three different starting quarterbacks at Oregon—Bo Nix, Dillon Gabriel, and current starter Dante Moore—and elevated each one's performance.In 2023, Stein helped Bo Nix achieve an FBS record
77.4% completion percentage, which led to Nix finishing third in Heisman Trophy voting before being drafted by the Denver Broncos. His quarterback coaching experience extends beyond Oregon, having held similar roles at Louisville, Texas, and UTSA. He even coached future New York Jets receiver Garrett Wilson at Lake Travis High School in Texas.
The Timing Question
One intriguing aspect of this hire is that
Stein is expected to remain with Oregon through the College Football Playoff, per ESPN's Pete Thamel. This decision keeps continuity for the Ducks' offense during their playoff run while delaying Stein's transition to Kentucky. The move suggests either a gentleman's agreement between Stein and Oregon head coach Dan Lanning—who similarly stayed at Georgia through their championship season before taking the Oregon job—or a strategic decision by Stein to add a potential national championship to his resume before rebuilding Kentucky.
Kentucky's Desperate Need for Offensive Firepower
The hire addresses Kentucky's most glaring weakness. The Wildcats ranked
last in the SEC in scoring (20.7 points per game) and total yards (335.8 yards per game) over the past two seasons. After missing bowl games in back-to-back years and finishing 5-7 this season, the program desperately needed an offensive architect to turn things around.
Stoops, despite being the program's most successful coach with 82 wins, couldn't overcome the offensive limitations that plagued his final years. Stein's track record suggests he's exactly what Kentucky needs to compete in the SEC's increasingly pass-happy landscape.
What's Next
As Stein prepares to take over in Lexington, he'll inherit a program with significant rebuilding ahead. However, his proven ability to maximize offensive talent, develop quarterbacks, and adapt to different personnel gives Kentucky fans reason for optimism. The question now is whether he can replicate his Oregon success in the more challenging SEC environment—and whether he can do it while competing against programs with significantly more resources and recruiting advantages.
For now, Kentucky has made a bold statement: the future of Wildcats football belongs to a coach who understands the program's history, has demonstrated excellence at the highest level, and is hungry to prove himself as a head coach.
**
1.
Courier-Journal - Will Stein Kentucky Football Coach2.
Sports Illustrated - Impact of Oregon Ducks Losing Offensive Coordinator Will Stein3.
CBS Sports - Kentucky Expected to Hire Will Stein4.
Hillsboro News Times - Oregon OC Will Stein Hired as Kentucky Head Coach5.
News-Journal Online - Will Stein is Win for Kentucky Football
Sources
1. Is Will Stein new Kentucky football coach? Deal reportedly ...
2. Impact Of Oregon Ducks Losing Offensive Coordinator Will ...
3. Kentucky expected to hire Will Stein: Oregon assistant set ...
4. Reports: Oregon OC Will Stein hired as Kentucky head coach
5. Will Stein is win for Kentucky football coaching search
