After years of the traditional Mark Stoops "ball control" philosophy, Big Blue Nation is starving for an offensive spark. Stoops did what he thought was best, but that style of play is hard to execute; you have to play nearly perfectly for it to work.
Kentucky football has spent the better part of a decade keeping games close, grinding out the clock, and relying heavily on the defense. In fact, the program hasn't produced a 3,000-yard passer since Mike Hartline accomplished the feat all the way back in 2010.
Related: Will Stein's first Transfer Portal Class completed
But Will Stein is ready to completely flip that script.
The new Kentucky play-caller recently joined the Chuck Oliver Show and gave a quote that should have every single football fan in the bluegrass absolutely amped up for the fall.
“We’re a modern pro-style offense, so we can blend tempos and go super fast,” Stein explained. “We can huddle, we can speed break. We really dictate the pace of the game."
And he didn't stop there.
Will Stein says Kentucky football is going to 'throw the ball to score'
“We’ve been really explosive and consistent in terms of gaining first downs and scoring touchdowns, a very efficient offense," Stein continued. "Obviously, you want to be able to run the ball to win, but throw the ball to score. I like excitement. I like points. I like trick plays. I like making our guys love playing our offense.”
That is absolute music to the ears of a fanbase desperate for a modern attack to end a 16-year drought. Every other SEC team has had at least 1 3,000 yard passer during that time.
Stein noted that the offense is entirely "multiple" and will never look completely the same from week to week. However, the core fundamentals will always remain. Fans can expect a heavy dose of inside and outside zone, paired with a passing game designed to stretch the defense vertically and from sideline to sideline.
What that beautifully aggressive vision actually looks like on the SEC grass remains to be seen. You can say all the right things, but have it completely flop on the field.
For now, though, simply having a coach in the building who actively wants to play fast, free, and explosive? That is already a massive win for all of Big Blue Nation.