Will Stein is the popular choice to replace Mark Stoops, and it isn't just because he played high school ball at Trinity. It’s because he is running one of the most sophisticated offense in college football at a very high level.
Josh Yourish over at Saturday Blitz broke down exactly why Stein’s system is special, and it revolves around how he uses every member of BBN's favorite position group, the tight ends.
The 12 personnel cheat code
Stein loves using two tight ends (12 personnel) to torture defenses. And it works because you can pass or throw just as easy.
- If the defense goes small (adds DBs), Oregon runs the ball down their throat and keeps the tempo up to not allow them to swap.
- If the defense goes big (adds LBs), Stein splits the tight ends out and throws vertical routes past linebackers who can't cover them. Imagine Willie Rodriguez and Mikkel Skinner running against a LB in space.
At Oregon, tight end Kenyon Sadiq has racked up 14 catches for 168 yards and 3 TDs in a two game period when the Ducks were dealing with major injuries. To be able to shift and move within your offense to maximize your chance of winning week-to-week is why Stein is great.
Why Will Stein's offensive philosophy fits Kentucky
Kentucky has a loaded tight end room right now. Willie Rodriguez and Mikkel Skinner are big, athletic bodies who are progressing and could become elite receiving weapons in the right offensive philosophy. Stein would walk into Lexington and instantly have the pieces to run his "bully ball spread" offense.
Joey McGuire at Texas Tech said it best: "He’s going to be a great head coach. He’ll be a head coach at some point."
That point should be now. And the place should be Kentucky. Get it done, Mitch. Micah 7:7.