Will Stein Is Building a Modern Machine at Kentucky-And the Numbers Prove It
Will Stein isn’t just talking about building a new era of Kentucky football-he’s funding it. A fresh report has pulled back the curtain on how Stein is reshaping the Wildcats from the inside out, and the message is loud and clear: this is no longer a top-heavy operation relying on a few big names. It’s a full-scale, modern football infrastructure built for sustained success in the SEC and beyond.
Let’s dive into the numbers, because they tell the story of a program that’s evolving fast-and smart.
From Star Power to Staff Power
Under Mark Stoops, Kentucky’s staff spending leaned heavily toward a few big-ticket names. Stoops himself was pulling in over $9 million, and key assistants like Brad White, Bush Hamdan, and Vince Marrow (before his departure to Louisville) were raking in seven-figure salaries. That kind of investment in top-tier coordinators can work-but it often leaves the rest of the staff stretched thin.
Stein’s approach? Flip the model.
According to the report, the combined salaries of Stein’s top 10 on-field assistants total $6.195 million-noticeably less than the $7.39 million spent on the previous regime’s top 10. That’s not a budget cut.
It’s a redistribution of resources. Stein isn’t banking on a few high-paid assistants to carry the load-he’s building depth, and lots of it.
How much depth? Try 24 assistant coaches focused on on-field instruction.
That’s not a typo. Twenty-four.
In today’s college football landscape-especially in the SEC and the Transfer Portal era-development is everything. And development requires hands-on coaching.
Instead of asking one coach to juggle three roles, Stein is hiring three motivated coaches to handle each task with precision. That kind of structure ensures every player gets detailed, individualized attention.
It’s how you build not just a team, but a program.
Building a Big-Time Back Office
The investment isn’t stopping at the practice field. Kentucky is finally putting real muscle behind its off-field operations-and it’s long overdue.
General Manager Pat Biondo is earning $500,000. That’s not just a title-it’s a statement.
Roster management, player evaluation, and strategic recruiting are now front and center, treated with the same importance as play-calling on Saturdays. In the modern game, your GM is as essential as your offensive coordinator, and Kentucky is paying accordingly.
The strength and conditioning budget? Up to $1 million.
That’s a massive leap, and it matters. In the SEC, games are often won or lost in the final 15 minutes.
Conditioning isn’t just about lifting weights-it’s about recovery, injury prevention, and maximizing performance week after week. This kind of investment tells players their health and development are priorities.
It also sends a message to recruits: Kentucky takes your future seriously.
Stability Over Stepping Stones
Another smart move? Locking in the staff.
The 10 recruiting assistants now have an $800,000 buyout if they leave for another job before December 1st. That’s not just a retention tactic-it’s a culture play.
Too often, programs like Kentucky become launching pads for coaches looking to make a quick leap. Stein is putting an end to that.
If you’re signing on, you’re expected to stay, build, and grow with the program. Continuity matters, especially in recruiting and player development, and this clause is designed to create it.
A $7.8 Million Investment in the Future
All in, Kentucky’s total staff spending now sits at $7.8 million. But it’s not just about the number-it’s about how that number is being used. Stein is spreading the wealth, building a deep and specialized support system, and modernizing every corner of the operation-from the weight room to the war room.
This isn’t just a facelift. It’s a full-on transformation.
Will Stein is dreaming big in Lexington. And now, thanks to a smart, calculated investment in people and infrastructure, Kentucky football finally has the foundation to match that ambition.