Will Stein’s Staff Taking Shape at Kentucky: Familiar Faces, Strategic Fits
With his coordinators reportedly in place, new Kentucky head coach Will Stein is wasting no time rounding out his first staff in Lexington - and he’s leaning on familiarity and continuity to do it.
According to multiple reports, Stein is bringing in a group of assistants he’s worked with before or who have crossed paths with him during his coaching journey. The hires suggest a clear strategy: build a cohesive, aligned staff that can hit the ground running.
Let’s break down the reported additions and what they bring to the table.
Defensive Help from Houston and Columbus
John Christian-Young, currently Houston’s safeties coach, is expected to join Stein’s defensive staff. While his exact title at Kentucky hasn’t been specified, Christian-Young brings plenty of experience in the secondary.
He’s coached defensive backs at multiple stops, including Tulane, Georgia Southern, and Central Missouri, and he also has a connection with Kentucky’s new defensive coordinator, Jay Bateman. The two worked together at Army, which should help fast-track the defensive staff’s chemistry.
Also expected to join the defensive side is Tony Washington Jr., who most recently served as Ohio State’s defensive line coach. Washington is slated to oversee Kentucky’s defensive ends and outside linebackers - a critical role in any modern defense, especially in the SEC, where edge play can swing games.
Washington has a strong resume, including a playing career at Oregon and coaching stops at Nebraska, UCLA, and Oregon, where he worked with Stein in 2023. His familiarity with Stein’s approach and his experience developing front-seven talent make him a key addition.
Offensive Line Roots Run Deep
On the offensive side, Cutter Leftwich is set to come aboard as an offensive assistant. Leftwich has consistently worked with the offensive line throughout his coaching career and played center at McNeese State, so his O-line pedigree is well established.
He’s worked with Stein at both UTSA and Oregon, and after a brief stint as offensive line coach at North Texas in 2024, he returned to Oregon in 2025 as assistant offensive line coach and run game coordinator. That kind of continuity and trust between a head coach and his O-line assistant can’t be overstated - especially when building a new system from the ground up.
A Familiar Face in the Receiver Room
Joe Price, UTSA’s wide receivers coach and associate head coach, is also expected to follow Stein to Kentucky. Price has worn several hats at UTSA since 2020, including director of player personnel and pass game coordinator. Before that, he spent a decade coaching high school football in Texas and had a brief stint at Illinois as director of high school relations.
Price and Stein worked closely together at UTSA, where Stein served as offensive coordinator during Price’s first year as wide receivers coach. That shared history should make for a smooth transition in Lexington. Price’s ability to connect with players and his experience in both recruiting and development make him a valuable asset - especially in the ever-evolving world of college football’s passing game.
Building the Blueprint
While Kentucky has only officially announced the hiring of offensive coordinator Joe Sloan, the broader picture of Stein’s staff is starting to come into focus. The reported hires reflect a clear pattern: Stein is surrounding himself with coaches he knows, trusts, and who understand his vision. That’s a smart move for a first-time head coach stepping into the SEC spotlight.
Here’s the reported lineup of Stein’s initial staff:
- Joe Sloan - Offensive Coordinator
- Jay Bateman - Defensive Coordinator
- Joe Price - Wide Receivers Coach
- Cutter Leftwich - Offensive Assistant
- John Christian-Young - Defensive Assistant
- **Tony Washington Jr.
** - Defensive Ends/Outside Linebackers Coach
- Pat Biondo - General Manager
- Pete Nochta - Player Personnel Role
As Stein continues to shape his staff, there’s a clear emphasis on relationships, shared experience, and a unified approach. That kind of alignment can make all the difference when the grind of SEC play begins.
Kentucky fans won’t have to wait long to see how this new-look staff comes together on the field - but based on the early moves, Stein is putting his blueprint in place with purpose.