Kentucky football just locked in a major piece of its future - and it’s a familiar face. Defensive line coach Anwar Stewart, a former standout for the Wildcats himself, will remain on staff under new head coach Will Stein. For anyone following the program closely, this move isn’t just continuity - it’s a cornerstone.
Stewart has been Kentucky’s defensive line coach for the past six seasons, helping shape some of the most disruptive fronts in the SEC. And now, under Stein’s leadership, he’s set to keep building on that foundation.
“Retaining Anwar Stewart as our defensive line coach was one of my main priorities when I took the job,” Stein said. “His reputation as one of the top defensive line coaches in the country speaks for itself. He’s an excellent coach and developer of young men, and I’m excited he’s going to continue helping our players reach their full potential.”
That quote says a lot. When a new head coach makes keeping a position coach a top priority, it tells you just how much value that coach brings - not just in terms of Xs and Os, but in culture, development, and recruiting.
And Stewart brings all of that.
He’s not just a technician - though his track record developing NFL-caliber talent speaks volumes - he’s also a respected recruiter. One of the biggest recruiting wins in recent Kentucky history, landing Deone Walker out of Michigan, came in large part because Walker’s parents trusted Stewart.
That trust paid off. Walker developed into a dominant force on the defensive line and was eventually drafted by the Buffalo Bills.
Stewart’s connection to the program runs deep. He came to Kentucky from Panama City, Florida, playing under coaches Bill Curry and Hal Mumme.
On the field, he was a playmaker, racking up 64 tackles, nine for loss, and eight sacks while bouncing between linebacker and defensive end. His most iconic moment?
That came in 1997, when he returned a blocked field goal 68 yards for a touchdown against Alabama - a game that went to overtime and ended in a Kentucky win over the Crimson Tide. That’s the kind of play that lives forever in program lore.
After his playing days at Kentucky, Stewart carved out a stellar 13-year career in the Canadian Football League. He spent 11 of those seasons with the Montreal Alouettes and two with the Calgary Stampeders, winning four Grey Cups in total - one with Calgary in 2001 and three with Montreal in 2002, 2009, and 2010.
He was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player in 2004 and earned CFL All-Star honors in 2004 and 2009. By the time he retired in 2013, he had racked up 70 career sacks and 10 interceptions as a defensive end.
He left the game as Montreal’s all-time sack leader and still ranks second in that category.
But Stewart didn’t walk away from football. After his playing career, he spent three seasons coaching in the CFL before returning to Kentucky as a student assistant under Mark Stoops in 2017 and 2018 - a stretch that included two bowl appearances and a 10-win season in 2018, capped by a historic win over Florida.
Since becoming the full-time defensive line coach, Stewart has consistently developed high-level talent. He coached Josh Hines-Allen, who went on to become an All-Pro and the all-time sack leader for the Jacksonville Jaguars. He’s also helped guide four players to the NFL Draft: Quinton Bohanna and Phil Hoskins in 2021, Joshua Paschal in 2022, and Deone Walker in 2025.
Statistically, Stewart’s impact is undeniable. In 2023, Kentucky’s defense allowed just 113.1 rushing yards per game - second-best in the SEC and 17th nationally.
The Wildcats held their first five opponents under 100 rushing yards, a first in program history. That defensive front also helped Kentucky rank top five in the SEC and top 25 nationally in both sacks (2.69 per game) and tackles for loss (6.5 per game).
And it wasn’t just a one-year wonder. In 2022, Stewart’s group finished third in the SEC in both third-down and fourth-down conversion defense, and 22nd and 19th nationally in those categories, respectively. That unit featured standout Octavious Oxendine - who landed on the Comeback Player of the Year Watch List - and Deone Walker, who earned Freshman All-American honors.
Stewart’s staying power isn’t just about numbers or accolades, though. It’s about identity.
He embodies what Kentucky football is trying to be - tough, disciplined, and built from within. His commitment to the program is as clear as ever.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to continue building here at Kentucky,” Stewart said in a release. “This program means a lot to me, and I believe strongly in the vision coach Stein has for where we’re headed. I’m excited to keep developing our defensive line and doing everything I can to help this team compete at the highest level.”
For Kentucky, keeping Stewart isn’t just a win on the coaching staff. It’s a signal to players, recruits, and fans alike: the foundation is strong, and the Wildcats are serious about building something sustainable. With Stewart leading the charge in the trenches, that defensive front is in good hands - and the rest of the SEC knows it.