Will Stein hasn’t had much time to breathe since taking over as Kentucky’s head coach in early December. From juggling his final duties as Oregon’s offensive coordinator during their College Football Playoff run to assembling a new staff in Lexington, Stein’s been moving at full speed. Now, one of the most intriguing additions to his staff is a name that carries weight in the Bluegrass State: Andrew Coverdale.
Coverdale is set to join the Wildcats as the team’s passing game coordinator, bringing with him deep Kentucky ties and a strong track record of developing quarterbacks and high-powered offenses. Most recently, he spent the past two seasons at Louisville as an offensive analyst under Jeff Brohm - a move that adds another layer of intrigue to his switch across the Bluegrass Rivalry divide.
But this hire runs deeper than just a rivalry flip. Coverdale and Stein go way back - all the way to their days at Trinity High School in Louisville.
Coverdale was the offensive coordinator when Stein was slinging touchdowns for the Shamrocks, leading the team to three state championships and setting a school record with 54 touchdown passes. That connection is more than just nostalgic - it’s foundational.
These two know how to win together.
Coverdale’s résumé at the high school level is nothing short of dominant. During his 17 seasons as Trinity’s offensive play-caller, the program captured 11 state titles and even claimed a national championship in 2011.
After Trinity, Coverdale took his offensive acumen north to Cincinnati, where he helped guide St. Xavier to a state title in 2020.
His quarterbacks have consistently put up eye-popping numbers. In 2008, Cam Smith completed nearly 75% of his passes under Coverdale’s system.
Nearly a decade later, Nick Bohn raised the bar even higher, finishing the 2017 season with a staggering 79.9% completion rate. And if that family name sounds familiar, it should - Brian Brohm, now Louisville’s offensive coordinator and brother to Jeff, was the National Player of the Year in 2002 while playing quarterback at Trinity under Coverdale’s guidance.
Now, Coverdale reunites with his former quarterback, this time on the SEC stage. The task?
Help turn Kentucky’s offense into a consistent threat in one of college football’s toughest conferences. With Stein’s vision and Coverdale’s precision in the passing game, the Wildcats are building something that fans in Lexington should keep a close eye on.
This isn’t just a hire - it’s a strategic reunion with a proven formula for success.