Stein named Head Coach of Kentucky Wildcats Football

As one door closes another opens, Kentucky Wildcats Football is making a change at head coach as Mark Stoops was fired on Monday. It didn’t take long for the Wildcats to find Stoops replacement as the Wildcats hired Oregon Ducks Offensive Coordinator Will Stein as the new head coach of Kentucky Wildcats Football.

Stein, who is a native of Kentucky, has deep familiarity with the Wildcats program as his father Matt Stein played for the Wildcats.

Stein also played quarterback at a Kentucky College, but not for the Wildcats but instead their interstate rival the Louisville Cardinals from 2008-2012. He also would start his coaching career with the Cardinals as a graduate assistant and then as the quarterback’s coach.

Stein whose been the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach for the Oregon Ducks from 2023-2025, has made his impact felt while at his time in Eugene. He has developed quarterbacks that made it to the NFL in Denver Broncos QB Bo Nix and Cleveland Browns QB Dillion Gabriel.

But developing QB’s isn’t the only thing Stein has done for the Ducks but having an effective and dominant offense as well. As the Ducks offense ranks ninth in the country in scoring with averaging 38.2 points per game. And the Ducks average 465.2 yards of total offense per contest which ranks 13th in the nation.

Steins thoughts on being the 38th head coach of Kentucky Wildcats Football, well he seems very excited and grateful for the opportunity.

“I’m honored and excited to become the next head coach at Kentucky,” Stein said. “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. My goal is to lead with purpose and help young men grow on and off the field. I’m deeply thankful to President Capilouto, Mich Barnhart, and Big Blue Nation for the trust they’ve placed in me. I also want to thank Coach Dan Lanning and the entire Oregon staff for their support and mentorship, they’ve been incredible. Now, I can’t wait to get started and make Kentucky proud.”