Will Stein is building something intriguing in Lexington - not just a coaching staff, but a football culture rooted in familiarity, loyalty, and a whole lot of Louisville red turned Kentucky blue.
The latest addition to his first Kentucky coaching staff is Keith Towbridge, who will serve as an assistant running backs coach alongside Kolby Smith. That name might ring a bell for Louisville fans - Smith was a standout running back for the Cardinals from 2003 to 2006.
Towbridge? Also a former Card.
Recruited by Joker Phillips, the Toledo native ultimately signed with Louisville, where he played tight end from 2013 to 2016.
That makes five former Louisville Cardinals now on Stein’s staff - and that’s just on the coaching side. The behind-the-scenes crew includes names like assistant GM Pete Nochta and assistant strength coach Joe Miday, both of whom also wore the red and black during their playing days.
Towbridge’s playing career at Louisville wasn’t flashy, but it was solid. Over four seasons, he hauled in 21 catches for 283 yards and three touchdowns - all of those scores coming during a productive junior campaign. After going undrafted, he found a home in the NFL, spending time with the Buffalo Bills and sticking around the league for three years, including two seasons on Buffalo’s active roster.
His coaching journey began close to home, working under former Louisville quarterback Hunter Cantwell at Christian Academy in Louisville. From there, he jumped into the college ranks in 2024 with a role on Purdue’s staff before heading to Bethune-Cookman in 2025, where he coached tight ends and special teams.
Towbridge isn’t the only fresh face joining the Cats. Kentucky also added Tommy Shuler as an assistant wide receivers coach.
Shuler made a name for himself at Marshall from 2011 to 2014, where he was a reception machine. He led Conference USA in catches twice and finished his collegiate career with a staggering 322 receptions, 3,563 yards, and 25 touchdowns.
That kind of production doesn’t just happen - it’s the result of sharp route running, sticky hands, and a deep understanding of the position.
Most recently, Shuler was coaching high school football in Miami, his hometown, and he’s already been active recruiting the South Florida pipeline for Kentucky - a region that’s always rich with talent and potential.
With these additions, Stein’s 2026 staff is starting to take real shape - a mix of seasoned veterans and fresh voices, many with deep ties to the state and region. Here's how the full staff currently lines up:
Kentucky 2026 Football Coaching Staff
- Joe Sloan - Offensive Coordinator
- Jay Bateman - Defensive Coordinator
- Cutter Leftwich - Offensive Line
- Kolby Smith - Running Backs
- Joe Price III - Wide Receivers
- Josh Christian-Young - Safeties
- Anwar Stewart - Defensive Line
- **Tony Washington Jr.
** - Pass Rushers
- Allen Brown - Cornerbacks
- Justin Burke - Passing Game, Tight Ends
- Parker Fleming - Special Teams, Inside Receivers
- Nate Dodson - Assistant Quarterbacks
- Derek Warehime - Run Game
- Ty Holder - Cornerbacks
- Chad Wilt - Linebackers
- Trey Odom - Safeties
- James Gibson - Nickels
- Jack Ray - Special Teams
- Dallas Warmack - Assistant Offensive Line Coach
- Andrew Coverdale - Pass Game Coordinator
- Keith Towbridge - Assistant Running Backs Coach
- Tommy Shuler - Assistant Wide Receivers Coach
It’s a group that blends experience with potential, and Stein is clearly leaning into relationships and regional roots to build a cohesive staff. With former players turned coaches, and a network that stretches from Louisville to Miami, Kentucky’s sideline in 2026 won’t just be about Xs and Os - it’ll be about shared history, player development, and building a program with staying power.