The kind of attitude being brought to Lexington by this new coaching staff is exactly what Kentucky needs.
For too long, the narrative around Kentucky football, especially when facing the league's giants, has felt like damage control. Fans and pundits look at the schedule and think, "Ah man, we got to play Texas," or "How do we keep this close?"
If that is your mindset before you even step off the bus, you have already lost. And despite what Mark Stoops accomplished here, that was the mindset far too often.
No more playing it safe, Kentucky football is about to be unleashed
Will Stein sees it differently. In his latest media appearance, the new head coach made it clear that while he respects the league, he isn't losing any sleep over the logos on the other sideline.
"You know, everybody keeps talking about, 'Oh, you got to do this, you got to play these guys.' I mean, they got to play us, too, you know? Like, they got to play us. So, like, let's put a great team together that's tough, smart, dependable, plays four quarters of football, is connected, and let's see what happens. Like, that's what I'm excited about."
The blueprint
Stein isn't just relying on bravado or some misguided ego trip. He has been near the top of the mountain with Oregon. He has been in the CFP semifinals; he knows what it takes to be a special team. He is relying on a system. He acknowledged that while he is going to be authentic, he is bringing a proven structure from his last three years of success.
"You know, I'm going to be me. Do I have a blueprint for what success looks like and how to get that through the program I've been at the last three years? Yes. In terms of scheduling, practice, weight training, nutrition, how it all gets aligned. But the best guys I've coached for, or coached with, or played for were themselves. And that's the most exciting part about me being here: I can be fully me. And it's going to be somebody that's extremely passionate about this university, passionate about coaching... Putting really smart guys around me to help with decision-making, and then cutting it loose. Like, not being afraid of anybody.""
"Cutting it loose" is music to Big Blue Nation's ears. They are ready to see Kroger Field become a feared place to play. When teams hear You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive to start the 4th, they know they are in for a fight.
Stein isn't here to play "hold on and hope." He is here to attack this thing with all he has. He’s got people ready to run through walls because, for the first time in a while, the message isn't about surviving the schedule. It's about making the schedule survive Kentucky.