Greg McElroy believes Will Stein is tearing down Kentucky's walls to 'feed the studs'

Kentucky football is under new management, and if you haven't noticed, you haven't paid attention. Will Stein is busy changing the image of football in Lexington. From drawing interest from the nation's #1 and #2 overall quarterbacks to securing visits from top-100 defensive line monsters, Stein is proving that the "rebuild" label is a myth.

As former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy recently put it:

"Will Stein isn’t just changing the playbook. He’s trying to change the DNA of the program. He didn’t just walk into the building. I mean, he brought an army with him, including 34 players from the transfer portal. This is not a rebuild. This is an extreme home makeover."

Stein says he loves to "feed the studs," what better way to find them than to tear down the walls?

The edge of the leader

Stein didn’t just walk into the Joe Craft Football Training Facility alone; he brought an army of 34 Transfer Portal players with him to shock the system. But the real makeover isn't just about the roster, it's about the man standing in the middle of the huddle.

“I wasn't the biggest player, but I always played with an edge, with a chip on my shoulder,” Stein said during the first week of Spring practice. “That's what I want our players to embody.”

It doesn't matter if you are a 5-star blue-chip superstar or an unranked player fighting to stay on the roster; Stein wants them to get out there and fight. And he isn't just asking them to do it, that would be too easy; he’s showing them.

The coaching fingerprints

Kentucky recently released a video showcasing the first day of Spring practice, and Stein was at the center of the storm. He wasn't sitting in a tower or observing from the back. He was barking orders, running through drills, and physically involved in every rep.

"I am not just going to sit and observe," Stein noted after practice. "I am going to go be involved because that's what our players deserve, and that's just how I act."

The coach is hired to implement his style, and Will Stein is not going to just sit back and relax. He is going to get out there and fight with his team.

With the stress of a first-year head coaching role, seeing Stein’s fingerprints on every drill is a massive sign of health for the program. He isn't easing into the job; he is taking on everything with real aggression. Kentucky may strike out, but it will not be from being afraid to swing for the fences.