Justin Burke Reportedly Set to Join Will Stein's Kentucky Football Staff

It looks like the next Kentucky football coaching staff is going to have more than one former Louisville quarterback.

Justin Burke is set to join Will Stein‘s inaugural Kentucky football coaching staff, according to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football. Burke was a name mentioned during last night’s Rapid Reaction as a potential candidate to follow Stein. It’s unclear what his role will be in Lexington, but it feels like he will be a non-play-calling offensive coordinator, serving as an extra set of eyes in the press box while Stein barks at orders from behind a play-sheet on the field.

Up until Stein left for Oregon ahead of the 2023 season, the two former UofL quarterbacks spent most of their professional careers together. Burke got his start at UofL before joining Charlie Strong’s staff as an analyst at Texas. He took a brief detour to USF for three seasons, then teamed back up with Stein in San Antonio in 2020. Burke had a few different roles for the Roadrunners before ultimately succeeding Stein at offensive coordinator.

In 2025, UTSA finished in the Top 25 in scoring offense (33.8 points per game) and No. 13 in explosive plays of 30+ yards (33). During Burke’s time in San Antonio, the Roadrunners have enjoyed the most successful five-year run in program history with a 46-20 overall record, 31-8 regular season league mark, two conference championships, five bowl appearances, and back-to-back bowl wins.

Burke was a standout at Lexington Catholic who started his collegiate career at N.C. State before transferring to Louisville. He appeared in 13 games for the Cards from 2009-10, throwing for just shy of 1,500 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions.

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