Change is part of the rhythm in college football, and Oregon’s latest shift is a big one. Reports indicate that offensive coordinator Will Stein is heading east to take over as the new head coach at Kentucky, following the Wildcats’ decision to part ways with Mark Stoops. For Oregon, it’s a significant departure-and for Kentucky, it’s a bold move aimed at jumpstarting a program that’s been stuck in neutral.
Stein, 36, has been the architect behind some of the most explosive offenses in the country over the past three seasons. Whether it was Bo Nix, Dillon Gabriel, or Dante Moore under center, the Ducks consistently lit up the scoreboard, averaging 38.2, 34.9, and 44.2 points per game during his tenure.
Those numbers aren’t just impressive-they’re elite. Under Stein, Oregon didn’t just move the ball; they overwhelmed defenses with tempo, creativity, and precision.
It’s no surprise that two of those quarterbacks are now in the NFL.
Now, Stein is set to bring that offensive firepower to Lexington. And while the Wildcats have struggled recently-going 9-15 over the last two seasons-this hire signals a clear desire to modernize and energize the program.
Stein’s ties to the region run deep. He’s a Louisville native, got his coaching start as a graduate assistant at his hometown school, and his wife, Darby, played lacrosse there.
So this isn’t just a career move-it’s a homecoming.
But the timing raises some questions for Oregon. The Ducks are preparing to host a first-round College Football Playoff game on December 19 or 20.
Will Stein stay on to help guide the offense through that critical matchup? We’ve seen this scenario before-when Dan Lanning was hired at Oregon, he juggled his new role while finishing out Georgia’s title run as defensive coordinator.
So it’s possible Stein could walk a similar path, but nothing’s confirmed yet.
And the Ducks might not be done dealing with staff turnover. Defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi is reportedly a top candidate for the Cal head coaching job.
Lupoi, a former standout defensive lineman at Cal, began his coaching journey in Berkeley and built a reputation as a relentless recruiter and high-energy defensive mind. If he does make the move, that’s another major piece of Oregon’s staff potentially on the way out.
All of this comes at a crucial time in the recruiting calendar. Early Signing Day kicks off Wednesday, and coaching changes always ripple through the recruiting landscape.
Oregon has been working hard to flip five-star wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. from Ohio State. But with Brian Hartline-OSU’s wide receivers coach-turning down or being passed over for the Kentucky job, the Buckeyes’ grip on Henry may have just gotten a little stronger.
Still, Oregon’s pitch remains compelling, especially if they can stabilize the staff quickly.
For now, the Ducks are facing a familiar challenge: maintaining momentum amid the chaos of coaching carousel season. But if there’s one thing we’ve learned about Dan Lanning’s program, it’s that they don’t flinch. Whether it’s on the field or in the front office, Oregon’s built to adapt-and they’ll need every bit of that resilience in the weeks ahead.