What former players, coaches and administrators are saying about Will Stein

The Will Stein era at Kentucky is just a week old but that is not stopping the members of Big Blue Nation from getting excited about what the next chapter for this football program can be. With an important transfer portal window right around the corner, optimism is high for the Wildcats.

Kentucky’s fans are not the only ones high on this hire.

On Wednesday evening, UK released quotes from former people who have worked with Stein. The reviews are glowing.

This is what NFL quarterbacks, administrators, and college football head coaches had to say about Will Stein.

Bo Nix (Denver Broncos quarterback)

Coach Stein is a great football coach. He really helped me in my development during our one year at Oregon. We had a great time together and I learned a lot from him as a coach and as a past quarterback. I think he will do great things as a head coach. He’s a great leader of men. He does a great job of communicating, teaching and getting guys going in the right direction. He is going to really enjoy being back home. I know it will be a great fit for him and his family. I would not have had the season I had during my final year at Oregon without him. He helped me in so many different ways and I learned countless things that I am able to apply right now in the NFL. I’m grateful for him and grateful for our time together. I know he will do a great job at Kentucky.

Dillon Gabriel (Cleveland Browns quarterback)

I love Stein. He has been a huge part of my success and what I’ve been able to achieve this far. We had a great time at Oregon together. I learned so much about football from him. From the X’s and O’s, how to be a quarterback, leadership, and most of all dialogue. The conversations he has with the quarterback and the relationships — he develops you to be successful in everything you do on and off the field. I love him the death and he’s a friend for life.

Tez Johnson (Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver)

Stein was a football guru for our offense. His plays are unpredictable. You never know what’s coming. Really great play-caller. I love him. He was so determined to get better each and every week. He knew how to get me the ball in different ways, and I loved that. There were things I’ve never seen in football that got me the ball, and I was like ‘wow, that was really smart.’ He’s a really great guy and is going to be one of those coaches that pushes his players to the limit and they’re going to buy in. I truly believe this is the best move he’s made, and I’m proud of him.

Jeff Traylor (UTSA head coach)

I first met Will when we were on the staff together at Texas. We were actually roommates for a year and we got to be extremely close. I could see right away he had a bright future in coaching. I helped him get connected with one of my good buddies, Hank Carter, for a job at Lake Travis High School. As soon as a I got hired at UTSA, Will was my first call. He came to coach our wide receivers and then we promoted him to offensive coordinator. He did a fantastic job for us and helped us win a couple of conference championships. He’s literally like a son to me. It’s a dream come true for Will to go home and be the head coach at Kentucky. I’m thrilled for him, Darby, and the kids. He is one of the top young coaches in the country and I have no doubt he will do a great job there.

Charlie Strong (Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive line coach)

As a player, he was an elite competitor. You knew that he was going to give you everything he had. In my first year as a head coach, we had to win the last game of the season to make a bowl. Our starting quarterback got hurt in the second quarter. I went to talk to Will and he said, ‘I got it, I got it. You don’t have to tell me.’ He goes in and he throws a touchdown pass, pounds his chest, and says, ‘I told you I got it.’ We ended up scoring 40 points and winning that game. He was such a competitor, a guy you could always count on and you were going to get his very best.

I knew he wanted to coach and I thought he would be excellent so I was excited to help him start in the profession. He’s worked extremely hard and taken off from there. I am proud of him, what he has accomplished and what he will continue to accomplish. I know he will do an outstanding job at the University of Kentucky. They are very fortunate to have Will Stein.

Rob Mullens (Oregon athletics director)

Will Stein is an outstanding football coach and even better person. He’s a proud Kentuckian and an excellent choice to lead UK football. Will, Darby, Joey and Demi are great additions to the Wildcat Family.