Kentucky football is building something different under first-year head coach Will Stein - and it's starting at the top. The Wildcats are going with a two-man front office approach, announcing the hires of Pat Biondo as general manager and Pete Nochta as assistant general manager. It’s a structure that signals a serious investment in roster building, recruiting, and long-term program development.
Biondo arrives in Lexington after four years at Oregon, where he served as the Ducks’ director of football recruiting strategy. That’s not just a fancy title - Biondo played a key role in helping Oregon land the No. 4 overall recruiting class in 2025. Now, he’s bringing that same blueprint to Kentucky, following Stein across the country to help shape the Wildcats’ roster from the ground up.
“I’m incredibly grateful to be named the general manager for Kentucky football,” Biondo said. “Each of my previous stops had helped prepare me for this role by giving me a broad perspective on roster management, recruiting, and building a sustainable program.”
And Biondo’s résumé backs that up. Before Oregon, he spent three seasons at Texas A&M as the senior assistant of recruiting and operations.
During that stretch, the Aggies pulled in three top-10 recruiting classes - a testament to his ability to identify and close on elite talent. Originally from New York, Biondo got his start in athletics with a nine-year stint in West Virginia’s women’s basketball program after graduating from WVU in 2009.
That diverse background has helped him develop a wide lens on program building - and now, he’ll get to apply it in full as Kentucky’s GM.
“Pat has a relentless work ethic and a clear vision for what it takes to build a team and a successful program,” Stein said. “His ability to connect with people and bring out the best in those around him makes him a perfect fit.”
Joining Biondo in the front office is Pete Nochta, a name that should ring a few bells around the Bluegrass. Nochta is a Lexington native and a Tates Creek High School alum.
His father, John, played football for Kentucky back in the 1970s. So yes, this is a homecoming - but it’s also a strategic move for a program that’s trying to bridge the gap between tradition and the modern recruiting landscape.
Nochta spent the last 10 seasons at Louisville, most recently serving as the Cardinals’ director of recruiting. Before that, he held roles as director of high school relations and director of on-campus recruiting. He got his coaching start as a graduate assistant at Purdue and Western Kentucky, gradually working his way into one of the most respected recruiting minds in the state.
“I’ve known Will most of my adult life,” Nochta said. “I know his heart, his character, the person he is, and how much he cares about people. He’s also the ultimate competitor, and he instills confidence in everyone around him.”
Nochta also made it clear that this move isn’t just about football - it’s about family. “Another reason I’m excited to be back is so I can be closer to my parents, and they can see their grandson grow up. Having the chance to come home, where I grew up, and be a part of what Will is building is so special and something I couldn’t pass up.”
Stein, who’s been wrapping up his season at Oregon, hasn’t wasted any time assembling his Kentucky staff. And with Biondo and Nochta now in key leadership roles, the Wildcats are positioning themselves to be aggressive in the recruiting space and intentional about roster construction.
Also staying on board is Josh Pruitt, who returns for his 14th season at Kentucky and sixth as the program’s director of operations. That kind of continuity matters - especially as Stein balances building something new with honoring the foundation that’s already in place.
The bottom line: Kentucky isn’t just hiring recruiters - it’s building a front office. And that’s a sign that Will Stein isn’t just coaching for the now. He’s laying the groundwork for something bigger.