Will Stein Named Head Coach of Kentucky Football

For Will Stein, the roots in Kroger Field soil run deep.

A native Kentuckian, Stein is the son of UK alumni – father Matt played football at UK and mother Debbie is an avid fan – and he inherited their passion as he grew up watching the Wildcats in the then-Commonwealth Stadium, section 128, row 13 to be exact. He later competed in the stadium as a collegiate quarterback and assistant coach.

On Monday, the family’s journey came full circle as Stein was named head coach of Kentucky football, as announced by UK Director of Athletics 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,” Barnhart said. “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.”

Stein, 36, returns to the Commonwealth from the University of Oregon, where he has been the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for three seasons.

One of the many attributes that sets Stein apart is his ability to tailor his offense to his players’ strengths. Year after year, he’s designed systems around quarterbacks with very different skill sets, and each one thrived, helping lead elite units and Heisman Trophy finalists each of the past two years.

“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.”

Stein’s Heisman finalists, quarterbacks Bo Nix and Dillon Gabriel, have gone on to start multiple games in the NFL in their rookie years as well. The coach is excited to seek similar success with the Wildcats.

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

Paced by a high-scoring offense, the 2025 Ducks finished the regular season with an 11-1 record, including an 8-1 mark in the Big Ten. Currently No. 6 in the College Football Playoff rankings, Oregon is considered a lock to be selected for the final 12-team bracket to be announced on Dec. 7. Stein plans to coach in the CFP.

Stein’s unit ranks ninth in the country in scoring at 38.2 points per game. His attack is well-balanced, averaging 218.4 rushing yards per game and 246.8 passing yards per game. The total offense of 465.2 yards per contest ranks 13th in the nation.

Individually, sophomore quarterback Dante Moore has completed a pinpoint 72.5 percent of his passes – third in the country – for 2,733 yards, 24 touchdowns and only six interceptions. He ranks sixth nationally in passing efficiency.

Stein’s offensive philosophy – “Feed the Studs” – keeps numerous players involved. Three Ducks running backs have at least 481 rushing yards this season, with all three averaging more than six yards per carry. Six pass receivers have at least 23 catches on the year.

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.

As a team, Oregon averaged 34.9 points per game, 157.9 rushing yards per game, 279.5 passing yards and 437.4 yards total offense.

All-America quarterback Dillon Gabriel completed 72.9 percent of his passes for 3,857 yards, 30 touchdowns and only six interceptions. He ranked in the nation’s top 10 in completion percentage (3rd), passing efficiency (7th), passing yards (8th) and TD passes (8th). He went on to finish third in the Heisman Trophy balloting, was named Big Ten Most Valuable Player and was drafted by the NFL’s Cleveland Browns.

Once again, the passing game spread the wealth, as eight players caught at least 21 balls. Running back Jordan James jetted for 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns, ranking 18th nationally in each category.

Stein’s first season at Oregon, under Coach Dan Lanning, was 2023. His offense was prolific immediately, leading the nation in passing (346.9 yards per game), completion percentage (77.2 percent), first downs (372) and fewest turnovers lost (7). The Ducks placed second in scoring (44.2 points per game) and total offense (531.4 yards per game).

Led by quarterback Bo Nix, Oregon went 12-2, topped by a win over Liberty in the Fiesta Bowl. Nix threw for 4,508 yards 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 NFL draft choice by Denver.

Oregon had a 1,000-yard rusher and two 1,000-yard receivers. Bucky Irving ran for 1,180 yards and 11 touchdowns while Troy Franklin (1,383 yards, 14 TDs) and Tez Johnson (1,182 yards, 10 TDs) topped the millennium mark.

Stein went to Oregon from UTSA, 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).

Quarterback Frank Harris blossomed under Stein’s tutelage, ranking fifth in the nation in total offense (4,665 yards) and ninth in total touchdowns (41). Harris was named the 2022 Conference USA MVP.

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

A native of Louisville, Stein has football heritage, as his father, Matt, was a defensive end for the Wildcats under Coach Jerry Claiborne. Matt was a two-year letterman in 1983 and ’84, playing for UK’s teams that made consecutive appearances in the Hall of Fame Bowl.

Will Stein played his high school ball 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 played at the University of Louisville from 2008-12, then moved to the coaching staff as a graduate assistant in 2013 (quarterbacks) and quality control coach in 2014 (wide receivers). He earned a bachelor’s degree in sport administration from Louisville in 2011, and Master’s in business administration in 2014.

Stein coached at the University of Texas from 2015-17 as a quality control assistant, helping coach the wide receivers for two years and the quarterbacks in ’17.

In order to get play-calling experience, Stein moved to Lake Travis High School in Austin, Texas, as the assistant head coach, offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach and recruiting coordinator from 2018-19. He helped lead the Cavaliers to a two-year mark of 26-4, featuring back-to-back appearances in the state semifinals of the Class 6A Division I playoffs. He rejoined the college ranks at UTSA in 2020.

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

(Release via Kentucky Athletics)