Will Stein hasn’t been in Lexington long, but he’s already making it clear: he’s not easing into the Kentucky job-he’s diving in headfirst.
Fresh off the close of the January transfer portal window, Stein met with the media at Kroger Field to offer a first real look at how he’s shaping the Wildcats in his image. And while he's still unpacking boxes, the new head coach already has a clear vision for what this program is going to be under his leadership.
“Excited to finally have the blue and white on officially,” Stein said with a grin, referencing his recent stint juggling Oregon and Kentucky gear during the Ducks’ College Football Playoff run. “We had a great month of December and really January, finishing this roster out and building the coaching staff the way that I see fit to be our very best.”
That roster? It’s gotten a serious facelift.
Stein and his staff added 34 players through the transfer portal-17 on offense, 14 on defense, and three on special teams-plus 13 high school signees. That’s nearly an entire depth chart of new faces, and it speaks to just how aggressive Kentucky has been in reshaping the roster for 2026 and beyond.
What stood out in Stein’s comments wasn’t just the volume of additions, but the intentionality behind them. He spoke at length about individual players, showing a clear understanding of who these guys are and how they fit into what Kentucky wants to build. There’s a plan here-not just a scramble to fill holes.
And while the transfer portal has become the flashpoint of roster construction in modern college football, Stein made a point to emphasize the importance of honoring the high school recruiting class. No late offer pulls, no last-minute reshuffling. That matters, especially in a landscape where high school recruiting can sometimes feel like an afterthought.
The press conference, which ran over 30 minutes, gave fans a glimpse into Stein’s mindset as he takes the reins of a program looking to find its footing in the ever-evolving SEC. He touched on everything from his coaching staff to the long hours and short nights that have defined his first few weeks on the job.
There’s a lot still to learn about what a Will Stein-led Kentucky team will look like on the field. But if his early approach is any indication, expect a team that’s built with purpose, coached with energy, and driven by a clear, confident vision.
Stein’s not just here to manage the program-he’s here to elevate it. And the work has already begun.