Will Stein didn’t exactly leave any doubt Monday night.
Kentucky’s new head coach made it clear just how much this opportunity means to him, repeatedly praising the job, the program and the place itself. He said Kentucky was the one job he had circled while at Oregon, and he remembered thinking that if it ever came open, he would “no question take it.”
“I love everything about this job. Number one, I love our fans.
I love the Bluegrass. I love being homegrown guy from Kentucky.
I just love UK,” Stein said, via KSR. “This is a spot when you talk about places that I circled.
This is really the one job when I was at Oregon that I felt like if I ever got offered, it was a no question take it because I would have always been sick to my stomach looking at this job with somebody else in the seat, given the opportunity that I had.”
He also pointed to the personal side of the move, saying Kentucky feels right for him and his family.
“So, yes, I love it here. My family loves it here. I’m obviously close to home, being from Louisville, and want to continue to grow here and grow my family.”
Stein earned plenty of respect at Oregon, where he helped guide Dante Moore and the Ducks to the College Football Playoff last season. Now he’s trying to do something similar in Lexington, and Kentucky has positioned itself to make a serious run at the CFP in his first year.
The Wildcats are 7-1, with their only loss coming against Alabama. Their best win so far came against No. 10 LSU, when Stein dialed up a walk-off 2-point conversion call that Kenny Minchey and the offense converted to seal it.
After Saturday’s win over Vanderbilt, Stein said he wants November to become a “November to remember.” Kentucky will need exactly that if it’s going to stay in the playoff mix, with Tennessee in Neyland Stadium, No.
17 Florida, No. 23 Mizzou and then a rivalry game against Stein’s alma mater, Louisville, still ahead.
Can UK get it done?
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Kentucky's Latest Win Delivered A Reward Few Wildcats Ever Get
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Kentuckys staff has built a practice environment where scout team players are not just filling space, but pushing for real chances when they prove they belong. Wards appearance served as a reminder that the Wildcats will keep evaluating everyone in the building, and that even deep down the depth chart, there is still a path to playing time for players who keep showing up and doing the work. [Read more 🡒]
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Otega Owehs NBA path hit a jolt before it could really begin. The former Kentucky standout was taken by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the 41st overall pick in the draft, and after flashing some promise in preseason, he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon before the regular season began.
The injury alone would have been a tough break, but the bigger concern for Kentucky fans is how quickly the situation changed after that. Oklahoma City moved on by waiving him, leaving Oweh facing a major recovery and an uncertain next step just as he was trying to turn his draft-night opportunity into a foothold at the pro level. [Read more 🡒]
Kentucky Made A Real Impression On A Top DL Target
Jahyden Whites visit to Kentucky during a game day made a clear impression on one of the most sought-after defensive linemen in the country. The Florence, Alabama standout already has more than 20 scholarship offers, but he said the Wildcats are among his top choices after spending time on campus and seeing the program up close.
White is still in the middle of his season, so his recruiting process will take a little more time to unfold. He plans to release his top schools once the season ends, with a commitment targeted for April, which means Kentucky will have to keep making its case as the race tightens. [Read more 🡒]