Kentucky has officially named Will Stein as their new head coach, succeeding Mark Stoops, who was dismissed from his position on Monday. The announcement marks a significant transition for the Wildcats, as they aim to revitalize their football program after Stoops’ 13-year tenure, which included both successes and recent struggles.
Stein, who has served as the offensive coordinator at Oregon, expressed his deep appreciation for the opportunity to lead his home state team. “I’m honored and excited to become the next head coach at Kentucky,” he stated. “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.” He emphasized his commitment to developing young athletes both athletically and personally, thanking the university’s leadership and the Oregon staff for their support.
The 36-year-old Kentucky native brings solid credentials to the role. During his time at Oregon, the Ducks achieved an impressive 11-1 record this season, putting them in strong contention for the College Football Playoff, even after suffering a setback last season when they exited the playoffs against Ohio State. In a unique arrangement, Stein is expected to continue calling plays for Oregon while he transitions into his head coaching role at Kentucky, balancing responsibilities until the Ducks’ season concludes.
The firing of Stoops came after back-to-back losing seasons for the Wildcats, culminating in a disheartening 41-0 loss to Louisville. This change is particularly noteworthy as Kentucky becomes the sixth school within the prestigious Southeastern Conference (SEC) to seek a new head coach this fall, joining other programs like Arkansas and Florida in their search for new leadership.
The Wildcats are looking to Stein to inject fresh energy into their program, with hopes that he can replicate the offensive success he orchestrated at Oregon. With aspirations to elevate Kentucky’s standing within the SEC, fans are optimistic about the potential positive impact of Stein’s appointment and the direction of the program moving forward.