By Matt AudiletShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberThe Kentucky Wildcats are entering a new era of college football, hiring Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein as the program's newest head coach on Monday.
Stein replaces longtime Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops, who held the position for 13 years before his dismissal at the end of the 2025 regular season.
Kentucky's decision to part ways with Stoops came just after the veteran coach said there was a "zero percent chance" he walks away from the program on his own accord.
Stoops released his first public statement since the firing on Tuesday, thanking Kentucky for his 13-year stint with the program.
“To all of my former players, coaches, staffers, and the Big Blue Nation, from the bottom of my heart, thank you,” Stoops said. “Coaching at Kentucky the last 13 years has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I’ve felt your support, your pride, and your love every single day. Kentucky has become my home and I’ll be forever grateful to have been your head coach.”
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Kentucky amassed an 82-80 overall record in its 13 seasons under Stoops. The Wildcats finished the 2025 season with a 5-7 record, marking the program's second consecutive losing season.
Stein, 36, is a first-time head coach — spending each of his last three seasons as Oregon's offensive coordinator under head coach Dan Lanning.
"I'm honored and excited to become the next head coach at Kentucky," Stein said in a statement. "Growing up in Kentucky and sitting in the stands at UK games as a kid, I could only dream of one day leading the Wildcats. This is truly a dream come true."
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“Will Stein brings an outstanding track record of developing elite quarterbacks and leading some of the most dynamic and successful offenses in college football,” Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart added. “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."
Stein signed a five-year contract with the Kentucky program, kicking off a new coaching era in Lexington.
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