Will Stein Named Head Coach of Kentucky Football | Kentucky fires SEC’s longest-tenured coach in …

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Will Stein Named Head Coach of Kentucky Football

For Will Stein, the roots in Kroger Field soil run deep.

A native Kentuckian, Stein is the son of UK alumni – father Matt played football at UK and mother Debbie is an avid fan – and he inherited their passion as he grew up watching the Wildcats in the then-Commonwealth Stadium, section 128, row 13 to be exact. He later competed in the stadium as a collegiate quarterback and assistant coach.

On Monday, the family’s journey came full circle as Stein was named head coach of Kentucky football, as announced by UK Director of Athletics Mitch Barnhart.

“Will Stein brings an outstanding track record of developing elite quarterbacks and leading some of the most dynamic and successful offenses in college football,” Barnhart said. “His deep connection to Kentucky, having grown up attending games in our stadium, gives him a unique passion for this program and this community. We are thrilled to have him leading the Wildcats onto the field next fall, and I know Big Blue Nation will join me in giving a warm welcome to Will, his wife Darby and their children, Joey and Demi.”

Kentucky fires SEC's longest-tenured coach in Mark Stoops, hires his replacement hours later

Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops walks off the field after defeating Tennessee Tech during an NCCA college football game in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Tanner Pearson)

Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops walks the field before an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops looks onto the field during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops walks off of the field following an NCAA college football game against Florida, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/Michael Swensen)

Will Stein is going to take Kentucky-Louisville football to next level

One word was missing from Will Stein’s introductory news conference speech as Kentucky football’s new head coach on Wednesday.

And it might just be the one word that helped shape his career ascension to becoming the head coach the most.

Stein already knows his audience well. He craftily dodged giving much praise or credit to the Cardinals until he was asked by a reporter some 25 minutes into a Q&A session.

The competition between UK and UofL football just substantially ratcheted up a notch. The race to be the first program in the commonwealth to make the College Football Playoff is officially on.

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