Report: Kentucky working toward a deal to name Oregon OC Will Stein head coach

The Kentucky Wildcats appear to have the program’s next head coach. According to Yahoo’s Ross Dellenger, UK is working toward hiring Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein.

“Kentucky is working toward a deal to make Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein its next head coach, sources tell @YahooSports,” Dellenger said via X. “The sides are expected to finalize the agreement soon.”

On3’s Pete Nakos and Chris Low have since confirmed the report. A new head coach is heading to Lexington, replacing Mark Stoops after his recent firing.

More on Will Stein, quick rise through the coaching ranks

Finding a young coach with a quicker rise through the ranks would be difficult. Just seven years ago, Stein was an offensive coordinator at the high school level in the state of Texas. He is now set to take over an SEC program as his first head coaching gig.

Stein spent his playing days on the other side of the Kentucky-Louisville rivalry, spending time as a quarterback for the Cardinals. It’s also where his coaching career began back in 2013 as a graduate assistant under head coach Charlie Strong. After getting promoted to a quality control analyst, Stein took the same role with Strong at Texas.

Lake Travis (TX) then became home for two seasons, serving as the assistant head coach, offensive coordinator, and quarterbacks coach. Now-New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson featured back then, continuing the line of high-level players to come out of the Austin area powerhouse.

An opportunity to jump back into the college ranks came when Jeff Traylor, also known for his Texas High School Football background, took over at UTSA. Only three seasons were spent in San Antonio. But as Stein did at most stops, promotions were earned quickly, and in 2022, he served as the co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

Which brings us to present time. Dan Lanning took a big shot on Stein to become Oregon’s next offensive coordinator ahead of the 2023 season. Kenny Dillingham had just left to become Arizona State‘s head coach. Stein figured to be an outside-the-box hire, only to find an immense amount of success the past three years in Eugene.

Kentucky is now hoping Stein brings the same blueprint with him to Lexington. If the deal does fully come together, his debut will come on Sept. 5 against Youngstown State. And, of course, everyone will be interested to see Stein face his alma mater, Louisville, to end the season.