Who will replace Mark Stoops? 5 Kentucky football coachin...

Who will replace Mark Stoops? 5 Kentucky football coaching candidatesStory byThe Courier JournalRyan Black, Louisville Courier JournalMon, December 1, 2025 at 3:11 AM UTC·5 min read

LEXINGTON — The Kentucky football head coaching job isn't for the faint of heart.

UK is one of only three schools in the tradition-rich SEC — Mississippi State and Vanderbilt are the others — that has lost more games than it's won since starting its football program. But former coach Mark Stoops showed that with the right pieces in place, the Wildcats can put themselves in position to compete with programs with far more resources and legacies of success.

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Now, UK is in the search for a man to resurrect the program as Stoops once did.

After 13 seasons in Lexington, Kentucky dismissed Stoops on Sunday night.

Two potential successors you won't find on this list: Alex Golesh and Jon Sumrall. Two other SEC schools swooped in before Kentucky made its decision on Stoops.

Sumrall is a former UK linebacker and assistant coach who excelled in four seasons at Troy and Tulane, respectively. Florida tabbed him as its new coach earlier on Sunday.

Auburn also hired Golesh on Sunday. He led South Florida to a 9-3 record during the regular season, powered by an offense that is in the top five nationally in both points and yards per game.

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With Golesh and Sumrall off the board, here's a look at potential candidates for the Wildcats' vacancy, broken into categories and listed in alphabetical order:

The fan base favorite

Will Stein (Oregon)

New Oregon offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Will Stein leads a drill on the first practice of spring for Oregon football as the Ducks prepare for the 2023 season. Eug 031623 Uo Spring Fb 15

With Sumrall out of the picture, Will Stein automatically becomes the most popular pick among Wildcats supporters as the next leader of their beloved program. Stein is in his third season as Oregon's offensive coordinator. The Ducks were No. 2 in the FBS in both scoring offense and total offense in 2023, then were among the top 25 in those categories last season. They're once again among the nation's leaders in those two statistical departments in 2025. Though he's now coaching out West, he has deep ties to the Bluegrass State. He was a quarterback at Trinity and then Louisville. Despite his connection to UK's in-state rival, Stein's family once were Kentucky season-ticket holders. His father, Matt, was a walk-on who later was put on scholarship at UK. Stein's mother, Debbie, also attended UK. Unquestionably, he'd be a home-run hire for Kentucky, as Stein's success at Oregon (and Texas-San Antonio before that) make him one of the most-sought after coordinators in the sport. He's in a choice position now, as the Ducks have firmly established themselves as one of the country's most consistent programs. Provided that doesn't change, Stein will have his pick of nearly opening he wants. Does he view UK as a good enough opportunity to head back to his home state?

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Another program connection

Brian Hartline (Ohio State)

Ohio State Buckeyes offensive coordinator Brian Hartline laughs after hearing jeers as he walks onto the field prior to the NCAA football game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. on Nov. 29, 2025.

The number of five-star recruits Brian Hartline is credited with helping Ohio State land over the years is staggering. It goes on and on. He has deep recruiting ties to the state of Ohio, which became a pipeline for Stoops during his tenure. But Hartline's prowess extends nationally. Just look at the seven five-star wideouts he's listed as the primary recruiter for, per 247Sports. Of that group, only one (Jamier Brown) is from Ohio. As the Buckeyes' co-offensive coordinator, he's reportedly had more of a direct hand in play calling this season. And his link to UK? His younger brother, Mike Hartline, was a QB for the Wildcats from 2006 to 2010. He returned to Lexington earlier this year to serve as an offensive quality control assistant on Stoops' staff. Despite that tie to the Wildcats, the older Hartline seems like a long shot. He's an OSU alum. He's never coached anywhere other than his alma mater. And even if he were open to leaving the Buckeyes, it's uncertain how much interest he'd have in taking on a rebuilding job with the Wildcats. He's used to having every resource imaginable — money and otherwise — at his fingertips. He'd have to be willing to make due with less at UK.

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Group of 5 star

Bob Chesney (James Madison)

James Madison University head coach Bob Chesney congratulated Louisville Cardinals running back Isaac Brown (1) on his running game after the Cards defeated the Dukes 28-14 Friday September 5, 2025 at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky.

He might not be as well known as some of the other names on this list. But like Bob Chesney's predecessor at James Madison famously said, "I win. Google me." And, truly, that's all Chesney has ever done. In 16 seasons as a head coach, spread across four schools (Salve Regina, Assumption, Holy Cross and now JMU) in all four divisions (FBS, FCS, II and III) of the NCAA, Chesney only has posted a sub-.500 record once. That was in his maiden campaign at Holy Cross in 2018, when he went 5-6. Of note: Chesney never has had a losing mark in conference play; his worst was a 4-4 showing in the Sun Belt last season in his first year at JMU. This season, Chesney has the Dukes playing royally well. They're 11-1 overall (only setback is to Louisville, ironically enough) and 8-0 in the Sun Belt. They won the East Divison and will host West Division representative Troy in the conference title game. If the Dukes win that, and get help elsewhere? They might earn the Group of 5's College Football Playoff berth. That only would boost his candidacy for Kentucky's job. And while Chesney never has coached at a power-conference school, the way former James Madison coach Curt Cignetti has worked wonders at Indiana only helps Chesney's case.

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Two more options

FORT COLLINS, COLORADO - NOVEMBER 8: Head coach Dan Mullen of the UNLV Rebels looks on in a game against the Colorado State Rams at Canvas Stadium on November 8, 2025 in Fort Collins, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)