College football world calls Kentucky's Will Stein hire a 'home run' move

Kentucky football's swift pivot from Mark Stoops to Will Stein has sent ripples through the college football landscape, with experts across the board hailing it as a bold and promising step forward. Just a day after Stoops' departure following a 5-7 season, Stein stepped up to the podium, emphasizing high school recruiting in the commonwealth and declaring no excuses for building a winner.

The hire comes at a pivotal time for the Wildcats, who have struggled offensively, ranking near the bottom of the SEC in scoring over recent years. Stein, fresh from coordinating Oregon's explosive attack that averaged over 38 points per game, brings a proven track record of quarterback development and innovative schemes. But it's the chorus of approval from national voices that underscores why this feels like a turning point for Lexington.

Will Stein's hire draws high praise from experts

Todd McShay, the draft analyst, didn't mince words, calling the move a "coup" for Kentucky. He highlighted Stein's ability to inject energy into a program needing an offensive spark.

Anonymous scouts speaking to Kentucky Sports Radio echoed that sentiment, dubbing it "about as close as you can get to a homerun hire." They praised Stein's focus on a "high-octane offense" that could finally unlock the Wildcats' potential in a loaded conference.

Cooper Petagna from CBS Sports added his voice, tweeting: "Love the Stein hire for Kentucky. First P4 HC vacancy going to a coordinator. Cats get an offensive identity, proven QB developer and some upside in a young mind that's been groomed in one of the game's best organizations the last few years. Kudos for trying some different." His endorsement points to Stein's grooming under mentors like Dan Lanning at Oregon and Jeff Traylor at UTSA, where he turned quarterbacks like Bo Nix and Dillon Gabriel into stars.

Brandon Zimmerman, news editor at ESPN and SEC Network, captured the stealthy nature of the hire on X: "I love how during most chaotic moment in recent college football history Kentucky quietly fired Mark Stoops and hired Will Stein in the same day." His post highlights how Kentucky navigated the coaching carousel with precision amid widespread upheaval.

Adam Rittenberg from ESPN provided a deeper dive, explaining why the fit feels perfect. "Stein loves Kentucky," Rittenberg noted, pointing to his family ties, both parents attended UK, and his dad played defensive end under Jerry Claiborne. Despite playing quarterback at rival Louisville, Stein grew up at UK games and has long desired this role. Rittenberg praised Stein's offensive vision to address Kentucky's woes, ranking 115th in scoring since 2022, and his experience with diverse quarterbacks.

Challenges remain, as Rittenberg outlined: Stein's lack of head-coaching experience in the relentless SEC means he'll need a strong staff, especially on defense. Upgrading talent via NIL and resources will be key, pushing athletic director Mitch Barnhart to match peers like Vanderbilt and Missouri. Rittenberg gave the hire an A-, docking only for inexperience, but emphasized Stein's baked-in connection and plan to elevate production.

SI.com's Bryan Fischer graded it a B+, lauding Stein's quarterback prowess but noting off-field battles for funding, where football often plays second to basketball. "It's no easy thing to learn on the job in the SEC," Fischer wrote, "but Stein is a fantastic offensive mind with a great track record."

Overall, the consensus is clear: Kentucky has landed a coach who wants to be there, knows the landscape, and brings the tools to compete. As Stein builds his staff and hits the recruiting trail, Wildcat fans have reason to believe the program is headed upward. This hire isn't just a change, it's a statement.