Will Stein officially hired as new Kentucky Football head coach

The University of Kentucky Football program has announced the hiring of Oregon Ducks offensive coordinator Will Stein as the next head coach following the departure of Mark Stoops.

Following reports Monday evening that Stein was set to be the school’s next coach, Kentucky wasted no time in making the move official.

“I’m honored and excited to become the next head coach at Kentucky,” Stein said in a UK press release. “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, Mitch 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.”

KSR’s Matt Jones reports that it’s a five-year deal.

“Will Stein brings an outstanding track record of developing elite quarterbacks and leading some of the most dynamic and successful offenses in college football,” said UK Athletics Director Barnhart in a press release. “His deep connection to Kentucky, having grown up attending games in our stadium, gives him a unique passion for this program and this community. We are thrilled to have him leading the Wildcats onto the field next fall, and I know Big Blue Nation will join me in giving a warm welcome to Will, his wife Darby, and their children, Joey and Demi.”

A native Kentuckian, Stein is the son of UK alumnus Matt Stein, who played football under Jerry Claiborne. His mother, Debbie Stein, was also a big-time UK fan, as the family has always held love for the school.

Matt played high school football at Trinity High School, where he was a three-time state champion and set the single-season school record for touchdown passes with 54.

Stein would go on to be a backup quarterback for the Louisville Cardinals before beginning his coaching career as a graduate assistant for the Cards, and he’s now making his way back to the Bluegrass.

“Will Stein brings two invaluable qualities to the table as the next head coach of the UK football program,” University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto said. “He is an outstanding developer and coach of young talent, something he has proven repeatedly in his career already as a quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator at an elite level. And he has a deep and abiding passion for this place. It runs deep with him and his family.

“He understands the Big Blue Nation, this university and what this team and program mean to our Commonwealth. We are looking forward to welcoming Will and his family back home and we can’t wait to support them as they further elevate our program in a way that makes Kentucky proud.”

The 2025 Oregon Ducks finished the regular season with an 11-1 record, including an 8-1 mark in the Big Ten. Stein’s offense ranks ninth in the country in scoring at 38.2 points per game and fifth in total offense at 465.2 yards per game. Stein runs a pro-style offense with spread principles and has shown a strong penchant for adjusting to his personnel.

Oregon sophomore quarterback Dante Moore has completed a pinpoint 72.5% of his passes, ranking third in the country, for 2,733 yards and 24 touchdowns vs. six interceptions. Moore ranks sixth nationally in passing efficiency.

In 2024, Oregon went 13-1, winning the Big Ten regular season title and the league championship game over Penn State. The Ducks advanced to the College Football Playoff as the No. 1-seed, with the season’s only loss coming in the Rose Bowl to eventual champion Ohio State.

One of the best players Stein has ever coached is current Denver Broncos star QB Bo Nix. In 2023, Nix and the Ducks went 12-2, including a Fiesta Bowl win over Hugh Freeze (lol) and the Liberty Flames. Nix threw for 4,508 yards that season while setting an NCAA record in completion percentage (77.4%) and leading the nation in completions (364) and touchdown passes (45). He was second nationally in passing yards and passing efficiency, also fifth in yards per passing attempt. Nix was third in the Heisman voting and a first-round draft pick by Denver, where he’s now one of the top young QBs in the NFL and a potential future MVP candidate.

Stein landed at Oregon from UT San Antonio, spending three seasons with the Roadrunners. He served as the passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach in 2020 and ‘21, then was promoted to co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the ’22 season.

With Stein as co-OC in ‘22, UTSA ranked No. 12 in the country in total offense, 476 yards per game, No. 13 in passing (300.7 yards per game), and No. 14 in scoring (36.8 points per game).

During Stein’s three seasons at UTSA, the Roadrunners had a 30-10 record, advanced to three bowl games, and won the 2022 Conference USA regular-season championship and Conference USA title game.

Stein and his wife, Darby, have two children, Joey and Demi.

Welcome to Lexington!