Will Stein continues to build out his first Kentucky staff with another experienced addition - and this one comes with some familiar ties. Chad Wilt, a veteran defensive coach with over two decades of experience, is expected to join the Wildcats as linebackers coach, bringing a well-traveled résumé and a long-standing connection to new defensive coordinator Jay Bateman.
Wilt, 47, most recently served as Michigan State’s co-special teams coordinator and defensive ends coach during the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Before that, he was the co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Indiana from 2022 to 2023, helping lead a defense that battled through the grind of Big Ten play. His coaching journey has taken him across the college football map, with prior stops at Liberty, Virginia, Richmond, Ball State, Maryland, Army, Cincinnati, and Minnesota - a trail that’s seen him coach nearly every position in the defensive front seven.
If there’s a key thread running through Wilt’s coaching path, it’s his time working alongside Jay Bateman. The two crossed paths at Ball State and later at Army, where they collaborated on building disciplined, assignment-sound defenses. That familiarity could be a major asset in Lexington, as Stein looks to hit the ground running with a cohesive and connected staff.
Wilt’s coaching tree includes six future NFL Draft picks - a testament to his ability to develop talent and elevate players at the collegiate level. He’s worked in a variety of defensive systems and has seen the game from multiple angles, whether it’s coaching the line, managing linebacker rooms, or coordinating special teams. That kind of versatility is valuable, especially in the SEC, where week-to-week adaptability is often the difference between a solid defense and a great one.
This move adds another layer of experience to a Kentucky coaching staff that’s shaping up with a clear blend of youth, energy, and seasoned leadership. Here's how the confirmed 2026 position coaches stack up under Stein:
- Joe Sloan: Offensive Coordinator
- Jay Bateman: Defensive Coordinator
- Cutter Leftwich: Offensive Line
- Kolby Smith: Running Backs
- Joe Price III: Wide Receivers
- Josh Christian-Young: Safeties
- Anwar Stewart: Defensive Line
- **Tony Washington Jr.
**: Pass Rushers
- Allen Brown: Cornerbacks
As for the analysts and support staff, those roles are still being finalized - but Stein’s approach is clear. He’s assembling a group that blends tactical know-how with recruiting chops and prior relationships, setting the foundation for what Kentucky hopes will be a new era of sustained success.
Adding Wilt isn’t just a depth move - it’s a strategic reunion. With Bateman and Wilt back on the same sideline, Kentucky’s defense will be built on a shared vision and years of collaboration. That kind of continuity can go a long way, especially in a league that demands precision and toughness every Saturday.