Will Stein is building something in Lexington-and he’s doing it with purpose. The latest addition to his first Kentucky football staff is Parker Fleming, a name that might not be front-page material for casual fans, but carries serious weight in coaching circles. Fleming is set to join the Wildcats in 2026, where he'll handle special teams and inside wide receivers, bringing a unique blend of versatility and postseason experience to the table.
Let’s break down why this hire matters.
Fleming’s coaching journey has been anything but one-dimensional. He’s worn a lot of hats-special teams, wideouts, even quarterbacks-and he’s done it at programs that know a thing or two about winning.
In fact, three of the four schools he’s coached at made the College Football Playoff this season. That’s not a coincidence.
It’s a sign of someone who knows how to operate in elite environments and contribute to winning cultures.
His roots trace back to Ohio State, where he started as a graduate assistant in 2012-13. From there, he moved to James Madison, coaching wide receivers during a strong two-year stretch from 2014-15. Then came a stint at Texas State, where he juggled responsibilities for special teams, wideouts, and quarterbacks-an early glimpse into the kind of adaptability that’s become his calling card.
Fleming returned to Ohio State in 2018, this time as a quality control coach. That role eventually evolved into something bigger: special teams coordinator, a position he held from 2021 through 2023. If you watched the Buckeyes during that stretch, you saw a unit that was consistently disciplined, creative, and efficient-hallmarks of Fleming’s approach.
Most recently, he reunited with Will Stein at Oregon, serving as an offensive analyst. That connection now carries over to Kentucky, where the two will look to replicate the kind of offensive innovation and attention to detail that defined their time in Eugene.
It’s also worth noting that Fleming’s Ohio ties could be a quiet win on the recruiting trail. That region was a key pipeline during the Mark Stoops era, and Fleming’s presence helps keep that door open.
What Stein is doing with this staff is clear: he’s blending SEC familiarity with national-level experience and analytical depth. Fleming checks all those boxes. He’s coached in the trenches of the sport’s biggest stages, understands the nuances of multiple position groups, and has already built chemistry with the head coach.
As Kentucky enters a new era, this hire isn’t just about filling a role. It’s about setting a tone.
Fleming brings the kind of football IQ and adaptability that can elevate multiple facets of a program. And in a conference like the SEC, where margins are razor-thin, that kind of edge can make all the difference.