It was a controversial decision to move on from Mark Stoops as head coach. While Stoops brought unprecedented success to the gridiron in Lexington, his last third leading the Kentucky Wildcats was anything but special. Replacing him is former Oregon Ducks offensive coordinator Will Stein. With strong ties to the state and the region, he might be the perfect candidate to take UK over the top...
While appearing on Andy & Ari On3, Stein talked about the work that needs to be done at Kentucky.
"Potential is everything that you're not. It's everything that you can be. So listen, we still have a lot of work ahead. We are really in phase one of our offseason. Our guys are working their asses off in the weight room, running. We're going to start some winter walkthroughs coming up and lead into spring ball. We're nowhere where we need to be."
He then echoed the "Why not us?" sentiment to On3 co-hosts Andy Staples and Ari Wasserman.
"I'm just excited about ... Listen. I've never called a play that I didn't think would score a touchdown. I'm that type of guy. I'm a glass half-full guy. I'm excited to see where our team is going to be. I want an edge, man. Like, why not us? Let's go cut it loose! And let's make sure we're in a position we go disrupt this league and make it interesting. And not just make it interesting, but to go win."
Here is everything Stein had to say about what Kentucky can be, while appearing on Andy & Ari On3.
What can Kentucky be? We have head coach Will Stein on the show today. pic.twitter.com/GpDCOeDgOR
— Ari Wasserman (@AriWasserman) February 2, 2026
We could be looking at the next branch to blossom off the Dan Lanning coaching tree in real time.
Will Stein has the right approach to elevate Kentucky football under him
This was a very interesting hiring cycle this offseason, especially for Kentucky. We are talking about UK moving on from what was the longest tenured head coach in the SEC in Stoops. UK alum and former Tulane and Troy head coach Jon Sumrall was out there to be had. He ended up going to SEC rival Florida... When Kentucky got Stein and forced Brian Hartline to South Florida, it raised eyebrows.
Stein may have grown up in Louisville and played quarterback for Louisville, but he is exactly what this football team needs to get back to relevancy in a deep SEC. Stoops took advantage of a down SEC East by way of implementing great defenses. Unfortunately, outside of a few Liam Coen years, the guy did not know offense. Stein most certainly does, as illustrated by his run leading Oregon's attack.
What should have Kentucky fans raving about this hire is how straight-forward he seems to be in how he talks. Stein is not beating around the bush, self-prefacing and posturing with every last syllable. The guy wants to win football games, and wants to make his home state proud. Given that we live in a world where Indiana can become College Football Playoff national champions, why not Kentucky?
Rome was not built in a day, but let's give Stein enough runway to really build something special here.