The Will Stein era at Kentucky is officially underway, and it’s already making waves. As Stein begins to shape the program in his image, one of his first key moves is bringing in a trusted figure to anchor the recruiting and personnel side of the operation. That figure is Pat Biondo - and for Kentucky football, this hire signals a shift toward a more modern, NFL-style front office approach that fans have been eager to see.
Biondo, who most recently served as Oregon’s director of recruiting, will become Kentucky’s first general manager under Stein. It’s a title that’s becoming increasingly common across college football, but it’s more than just a nameplate - it represents a fundamental change in how programs are built and sustained. And for Kentucky, Biondo’s arrival is a big step in that direction.
Before his time in Eugene, Biondo cut his teeth in the SEC, spending three seasons at Texas A&M from 2019 to 2021 under Jimbo Fisher. There, he served as a senior assistant in recruiting and operations, gaining valuable experience in one of the most competitive recruiting environments in the country. His work didn’t go unnoticed - he landed on the radar of national analysts and was named to On3’s “rising star” list of personnel and recruiting staffers ahead of the 2022 season.
At Oregon, Biondo was part of a deep and aggressive recruiting department under Dan Lanning. He spent four years in Eugene, including the last three working directly with Will Stein. That familiarity and trust between Stein and Biondo is crucial - especially as Kentucky looks to streamline its roster-building process and compete more aggressively in the transfer portal and high school recruiting ranks.
What makes Biondo’s journey even more unique is his unconventional path into football. Before stepping into the gridiron world, he spent nearly a decade on the staff of West Virginia’s women’s basketball program.
His roles ranged from video coordinator to director of basketball operations, giving him a well-rounded background in program management and behind-the-scenes logistics. That kind of versatility and experience managing the details will serve him well in a GM role.
For Kentucky, this isn’t just about adding another name to the staff. It’s about structure - and finally answering the call from a fan base that’s been asking for a more defined, professionalized approach to roster construction.
For years, Eddie Gran functioned as a de facto general manager, but the program never fully leaned into the model. With Biondo stepping in, it’s clear that’s changing.
Expect him to hit the ground running in Lexington, especially with transfer portal season heating up and high school recruiting entering a critical stretch. Meanwhile, Stein will return to Oregon to help guide the Ducks through the College Football Playoff, but his fingerprints are already starting to show in Kentucky’s evolving infrastructure.
And make no mistake - Biondo likely won’t be the last addition to this revamped personnel department. If Kentucky is serious about building a sustainable contender in the SEC, this is the kind of foundational move that sets the tone. The pieces are starting to fall into place.