February might be the quietest month on the college football calendar, but don’t tell that to Will Stein. While most coaches are catching their breath after the recruiting grind and portal frenzy, Kentucky’s new head man is doing anything but relaxing. He’s out front, making waves on the national media circuit and giving Wildcats fans plenty to get excited about.
Stein recently sat down for an interview and didn’t hold back when talking about why the Kentucky job meant so much to him - and why he believes it’s a place where big things can happen.
There’s a personal connection here. Stein’s dad played for the Wildcats, and he grew up in the stands at Kroger Field (or Commonwealth Stadium, depending on your era).
But this wasn’t just a sentimental move. For Stein, it’s about opportunity - and he sees one in Lexington that’s as real as any in the country.
“I think it definitely pulls at your heartstrings. I’m not going to sit here and say it doesn’t,” Stein said. “Ultimately, you want to go to a place where you can win, where you can sustain success, and where you can recruit and develop the best players in the country.”
That’s not just coach-speak. Stein sees Kentucky as a place with the tools to be more than just competitive - he sees it as a potential powerhouse.
“You have everything you want facility-wise. You have backing from the administration.
You have elite fans. You can recruit North, South, go East or West.
There’s no reason in hell this place can’t be a destination job for a coach or a player.”
This is a guy who was in a good spot. At Oregon, he was dialing up plays for Dante Moore and running one of the most exciting offenses in the country.
But when the Kentucky opportunity opened up, Stein went all-in. His words?
He went “balls to the wall” to get the job.
Why that level of urgency? Because he’s seen what Kentucky can be - and how close they’ve come to breaking through.
He pointed to the 2021 season, when Liam Coen was calling the shots on offense and Will Levis was under center. That team had balance, firepower, and an identity. They finished 7th nationally - a reminder that Kentucky isn’t far off from the national conversation when the pieces are in place.
“That sparks my joy. It sparks me as a coach,” Stein said. “Let’s call some freaking football plays on offense, and get a quarterback that can run the show, and let’s stop people on defense.”
He’s not wrong. Kentucky has shown flashes - close games against top-tier SEC opponents, a defense that’s been consistently tough, and a fanbase that’s all-in. Stein sees that foundation and wants to build on it with a relentless mindset.
“They were like 4th and inches from beating Texas last year. I look up, it’s Ole Miss vs.
Kentucky and it’s 30-20. That’s what gets me going.
It’s right there,” he said. “Let’s change some things where we need to, reinvest in this program, and get coaches that are bought in and recruit our ever-loving ass off every single day.”
That’s the kind of energy that resonates in a program hungry to take the next step. Stein isn’t promising miracles overnight.
But he’s not shying away from the expectations, either. He’s here to build, to compete, and to win - and he believes Kentucky is ready for it.
“I really felt in my heart, my soul, and in my brain that this is the spot where we can go win.”
It’s still early in the Stein era, but one thing’s already clear: Kentucky didn’t just hire a coach. They hired a believer - in the program, in the potential, and in the idea that Lexington can be home to something special.