Will Stein isn’t easing into his new role at Kentucky - he’s charging in with swagger, vision, and a playbook full of ambition.
In a recent appearance on The Andy and Ari Show, the Wildcats’ new head coach made it crystal clear: he’s not here to simply keep the seat warm in Lexington. He’s here to shake things up in the SEC.
“I’ve never called a play where I didn’t think we would score a touchdown,” Stein said, flashing the kind of confidence that’s infectious in a locker room and unnerving for opposing defensive coordinators. “I’m that type of guy.
I want an edge, man. Let’s go cut it loose and disrupt this league and make it interesting.
Not just make it interesting, but go win.”
That mindset - bold, aggressive, and unapologetically optimistic - is exactly what Kentucky fans have been waiting for. After parting ways with Mark Stoops in December, despite his status as the program’s all-time winningest coach, the Wildcats are clearly betting on a new identity. One built on tempo, tenacity, and a belief that they can be more than just a middle-of-the-pack SEC team.
And Stein has the résumé to back it up. Before landing in Lexington, he was orchestrating one of the most dynamic offenses in college football as Oregon’s offensive coordinator. Under his guidance, the Ducks reached the College Football Playoff for the second straight year - a testament to his ability to build and execute high-powered attacks on the biggest stage.
Now, he’s tasked with bringing that same energy to a Kentucky program that’s hungry for a breakthrough.
The quarterback room is already undergoing a makeover. Kenny Minchey, a former Notre Dame signal-caller, is transferring in and figures to be a key piece of Stein’s offensive puzzle. With Zach Calzada and Cutter Boley both departing after last season, Minchey steps into a wide-open opportunity - and he’ll be working with a coach who believes in pushing the ball downfield and keeping defenses on their heels.
It’s early days, but the tone has been set. As spring ball approaches, Stein is laying the groundwork not just for a new system, but a new culture. One where belief isn’t optional - it’s expected.
The SEC has long been a gauntlet, and Kentucky’s path won’t be easy. But if Stein’s words are any indication, the Wildcats aren’t planning to quietly take their place in the standings. They’re aiming to disrupt, to challenge, and, as Stein put it, to win.
And if his offense starts clicking the way it did in Eugene? The rest of the conference might want to pay attention.
Kentucky’s not just reloading. They’re reimagining what’s possible.