Kentucky’s new offensive line coach is bringing some serious juice to the trenches - and a résumé that’s already turning heads. Will Stein has officially added Cutter Leftwich to his first staff in Lexington, and it’s a move that signals both continuity and ambition for the Wildcats’ offensive rebuild.
“Cutter is a great addition to our staff,” Stein said. “He knows what it takes to build a tough, disciplined offensive line, and players have thrived under his leadership. I love his energy and how he pushes his players to be their best.”
That energy - and familiarity - comes from their shared time at Oregon, where Leftwich worked under Stein during his first season as offensive coordinator. Though Leftwich spent a year away at North Texas, Oregon brought him back into the fold, and he’ll be with the Ducks for one last ride this weekend in the College Football Playoff against James Madison before making the move to the SEC.
For Leftwich, the Kentucky opportunity is more than just a new job - it’s a continuation of a partnership that’s already produced results.
“I’m incredibly excited for the opportunity to coach at Kentucky and to continue working alongside Coach Stein,” Leftwich said. “This will be my fourth season working with him, and the success we’ve had together is something we’re eager to bring to the Big Blue Nation. I can’t wait to build on the rich history and tradition of outstanding offensive lines that have come through UK.”
The Wildcats are getting a coach who’s been tested early in his career. Leftwich’s path began as a graduate assistant at UTSA in 2021, and he quickly climbed the ladder.
He followed that up with stops at UCLA and Oregon before heading home to Denton for a season at North Texas. There, he was thrown into the fire - forced to mix and match ten different starting line combinations, including two true freshmen.
Despite the constant shuffling, both Braydon Nelson and Tyler Mercer earned Freshman All-American honors. That’s not just surviving adversity - that’s thriving in it.
And it wasn’t a fluke. Every offensive line unit Leftwich has worked with at Oregon has been a finalist for the Joe Moore Award, which goes to the best offensive line in college football. That kind of recognition doesn’t happen by accident - it’s the result of technical coaching, player development, and a relentless standard for excellence.
At just 28 years old, Leftwich will be the youngest member of Stein’s staff - a staff that’s shaping up to be one of the youngest in the SEC. But don’t let the age fool you. This is a coach who’s already built a reputation for toughness, adaptability, and getting the most out of his players.
Leftwich’s own playing days were cut short by injury after starting 20 games at center for McNeese State in 2018 and 2019. That experience in the heart of the line gives him a firsthand understanding of what it takes to anchor an offense - and how to teach it.
Now comes the real challenge: rebuilding a Kentucky offensive line that’s in full reset mode. The Wildcats were already planning to replace four starters, and that task got even tougher with Jalen Farmer declaring for the NFL Draft. Leftwich will need to move quickly in the transfer portal and develop young talent to give Stein’s offense a fighting chance in 2026.
This isn’t just a hire for the future - it’s a hire for right now. Kentucky needs a line that can protect, run block, and set the tone physically in the SEC.
Leftwich has shown he can coach that kind of unit. Now, it’s about building it from the ground up in Lexington.
If his track record is any indication, the Big Blue Wall might be getting a much-needed renovation - and a whole lot of grit to go with it.