Will Stein is wasting no time putting his stamp on the Kentucky football program. As the new head coach continues assembling his staff inside the Joe Craft Football Training Facility, another intriguing addition has emerged-one that adds even more depth to an already expanding offensive brain trust.
Nate Dodson, who most recently served as an offensive analyst at LSU, is joining the Wildcats as the assistant quarterbacks coach. While the title may not grab national headlines, the hire is a meaningful one, especially considering Dodson’s close working relationship with new offensive coordinator Joe Sloan. The two spent the 2025 season together in Baton Rouge, and that familiarity could help fast-track Kentucky’s offensive install in year one under Stein.
At just 31 years old, Dodson brings a résumé that’s already spanned the NFL and multiple Power Five programs. A Southern California native, he got his start with the Los Angeles Rams as an operations assistant.
That stint included some overlap with Liam Coen, who of course had two separate runs as Kentucky’s offensive coordinator. From there, Dodson jumped into the college ranks, taking a graduate assistant role at Minnesota in 2019 under P.J.
Fleck.
His time in Minneapolis proved to be more than just a pit stop. Dodson spent three seasons on Fleck’s staff, gaining valuable experience and building connections-including with current Kentucky linebackers coach Chad Wilt, who also coached at Minnesota during that stretch.
When offensive coordinator Mike Sanford Jr. moved on to Colorado, Dodson followed, continuing to climb the coaching ladder. He remained in Boulder through the program’s transition into the Deion Sanders era in 2023, before making his way to LSU.
Now, he lands in Lexington, stepping into a staff that’s starting to resemble a well-structured NFL-style operation. Kentucky is clearly leaning into a modern coaching model-one where coordinators like Sloan and defensive counterpart Jay Bateman oversee the broader strategy, while position-specific assistants handle the day-to-day technical work with players. It’s a system that allows for specialization and efficiency, and Dodson’s addition fits that mold perfectly.
For Kentucky, this is more than just adding another name to the coaching roster. It’s about building a collaborative offensive unit where ideas can flow freely, and where young, energetic coaches like Dodson can bring fresh perspective to quarterback development. With Sloan leading the offense and Dodson providing support in the QB room, the Wildcats are setting up a structure that could pay dividends in both preparation and execution.
Here’s a look at the current 2026 Kentucky football coaching staff as it stands:
Offense:
- Joe Sloan - Offensive Coordinator
- Cutter Leftwich - Offensive Line
- Kolby Smith - Running Backs
- Joe Price III - Wide Receivers
- Justin Burke - Passing Game, Tight Ends (Unconfirmed)
- Derek Warehime - Run Game
- Nate Dodson - Assistant Quarterbacks
Defense:
- Jay Bateman - Defensive Coordinator
- Chad Wilt - Linebackers
- Anwar Stewart - Defensive Line
- Tony Washington Jr. - Pass Rushers
- Allen Brown - Cornerbacks
- Ty Holder - Cornerbacks
- Josh Christian-Young - Safeties
- Trey Odom - Safeties
- James Gibson - Nickels
Special Teams:
- Parker Fleming - Special Teams, Inside Receivers
- Jack Ray - Special Teams (Unconfirmed)
As Stein continues to round out his staff, the early blueprint is clear: surround himself with sharp minds, blend youth with experience, and create a system that mirrors the structure of high-functioning NFL organizations. Nate Dodson’s arrival is another step in that direction-and one that could quietly become a key piece in Kentucky’s offensive evolution.