Mark Stoops maintains he will return "if it’s up to me," and so far, Mitch Barnhart hasn't grabbed a microphone to contradict him.
But let’s be adults here. The silence from the administration is deafening, and the conversations happening behind the scenes are very real. The 41-0 shutout loss to Louisville didn't just end a season; it likely ended an era.
Kentucky will fire Mark Stoops and there's a potential replacement to keep an eye on
With seven of Kentucky’s ten assistants on expiring contracts, a massive staff overhaul is coming regardless of who the head coach is. But for a fanbase that has seen attendance crater and apathy set in, a simple staff shuffle won't be enough. The appetite for a clean break is undeniable.
If Barnhart makes a move, and the support is there for him to do it, sources suggest clarity is coming within 24 hours, who is next?
Here are the four names that make the most sense, ranked by fit, upside, and the reality of the situation.
1. Will Stein (Offensive Coordinator, Oregon)
If Kentucky wants to win the press conference and modernize the program overnight, the search begins and ends with Will Stein.
The Oregon Offensive Coordinator is the hottest name in the industry for a reason. His Ducks offense is averaging over 36 points per game, and he has turned Eugene into a quarterback paradise.
Stein isn't just an "X's and O's" guy; he has deep ties to the region. He played quarterback at Louisville and cut his teeth coaching at Trinity High School. He knows the recruiting footprint better than anyone on this list.
Joey McGuire at Texas Tech called him a "future great head coach," and he was right. Stein checks every box: young, offensive-minded, and capable of exciting a fanbase that is desperate for points.
2. Brian Hartline (Offensive Coordinator, Ohio State)
If Stein says no, the jet should head straight to Columbus.
Brian Hartline is widely regarded as one of the best recruiter in college football. Ohio State’s wide receiver room is an NFL factory, and Hartline is the foreman. But he’s more than just a recruiter; his offensive mind is elite, and he has learned under Ryan Day and Chip Kelly.
His Kentucky connections are sneaky strong, his brother, Mike Hartline, was a former UK quarterback and staff member. Brian knows what it takes to win in Lexington.
If the goal is to fix the talent gap that was painfully obvious against Louisville, Hartline is the guy who can get 5-star talent to pick up the phone.
3. Pete Kwiatkowski (Defensive Coordinator, Texas)
Mitch Barnhart loves a defensive-minded coach (see: Mark Stoops, Rich Brooks). If he sticks to his type, Texas DC Pete Kwiatkowski is the home run swing.
Kwiatkowski has built dominant defenses at Boise State, Washington, and now Texas. His unit in Austin is physically imposing and assignment-sound, two things Kentucky’s defense was not in 2025.
He isn't the flashy hire. He won't win the "social media" war. But if you want a steady hand who can fix the tackling, the discipline, and the toughness immediately, "PK" is the safest bet on the board.
4. Dan Mullen (Head Coach, UNLV)
This is the polarizing one. But you cannot argue with the results.
Dan Mullen re-entered the coaching game at UNLV and immediately won 10 games. He took a Group of 5 program and made them relevant instantly. We know his résumé: He won two national titles as Florida's OC, he made Mississippi State a top team for a couple years, and he develops quarterbacks better than almost anyone.
The Pros: He knows the SEC. He wins immediately. He fixes the QB room.
The Cons: His Florida tenure ended in flames and he can be prickly.
Would the fanbase embrace him? Maybe not at first. But winning cures everything, and Mullen is a proven winner in this league.
Whether it is Stoops or a new face, Kentucky is at a crossroads. The talent has slipped, the recruiting is stagnant, and the "vibe" is gone.
If Barnhart makes a move, the shortlist is clear: Stein, Hartline, Kwiatkowski, Mullen.
We won't have to wait long to find out. By this time tomorrow, the future of Kentucky football will likely be decided. Micah 7:7.