It's Official: Will Stein is Kentucky's Next Head Football Coach

On the same day that the University of Kentucky announced that it is moving on from Mark Stoops, the school officially shared his replacement. Will Stein will be the Wildcats’ next head football coach.

A Louisville native who grew up cheering for the Cats before playing for the Cards, Stein becomes the youngest head coach in the SEC at 36 years old. Stein spent the last three years as the offensive coordinator at Oregon, after rising through the ranks in the state of Texas.

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

According to Corey Price, only 14 hours and 35 minutes elapsed between announcements. That’s gotta be a UK record. ESPN’s Pete Thamel reports Stein will sign a five-year deal with the Wildcats.

[Release: Will Stein Named Head Coach of Kentucky Football]

It’s Stein Time in the Bluegrass. 😼@CoachWillStein is our new head coach!

📰🔗 https://t.co/6KpdO8XStJ pic.twitter.com/5Jbi1KEfLB

— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) December 2, 2025

Mitch Barnhart: “Will Stein brings an outstanding track record of developing elite quarterbacks and leading some of the most dynamic and successful offenses in college football. 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.”

Eli Capilouto: “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.”

Will Stein Coaching Resume

Year	Position	School	Bowl Games
2023-25	Offensive Coordinator/ Quarterbacks	Oregon	TBD (2025); Rose Bowl (CFP Quarterfinals) (2024); Fiesta Bowl (2023)
2022	Offensive Coordinator/ Quarterbacks	UTSA	Cure Bowl
2020-21	Pass Game Coordinator/Wide Receivers	UTSA	Frisco Bowl (2021); First Responder Bowl (2020)
2018-19	Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/QBs Coach/Recruiting Coord.	Lake Travis (TX) HS
2015-17	Quality Control	Texas	Texas Bowl (2017)
2014	Quality Control	Louisville	Belk Bowl
2013	Graduate Assistant	Louisville	Russell Athletic Bowl