Will Stein Balances Two Jobs, One Playoff Push: “All Focus Is on the Ducks”
EUGENE, Ore. - Will Stein hasn’t exactly been catching up on sleep lately - and he’s not expecting to anytime soon. That’s what happens when you're trying to juggle two high-stakes roles at once: head coach of Kentucky’s future and offensive coordinator for Oregon’s present playoff run.
Since accepting the head coaching job at Kentucky two weeks ago, Stein has been living in two worlds. By day (and often by night), he’s still scheming up game plans for Oregon’s offense as the Ducks prepare to face James Madison in the College Football Playoff opening round. In the margins, he’s also building out his new staff and laying the foundation for his program in Lexington.
“It’s not easy,” Stein admitted after Monday’s practice. “Dan has done it before, so I’m leaning on him.”
That would be Dan Lanning, Oregon’s head coach and a man who knows this exact balancing act. Five years ago, Lanning was in Stein’s shoes - finishing a national title run with Georgia while stepping into his new role in Eugene. The blueprint hasn’t changed much since then.
“When we’re here, we’re focused on Oregon,” Lanning said. “Outside of that time, that’s when you have the opportunity to work on things for your other opportunities.”
That mindset has helped both Stein and defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi, who’s also splitting duties after accepting the head coaching job at Cal. According to Lanning, they’ve handled it with the kind of professionalism and focus you want from leaders in a playoff push.
“They’re doing their job here at Oregon with a total level of focus and commitment,” Lanning said. “There’s a lot of guys in this building.
They know this has never been just about them on either side of the ball. We have a lot of coaches involved in that prep, but ultimately they are handling it really well.”
For Stein, staying on with Oregon through the postseason wasn’t even a question. Loyalty matters - especially to the people who helped him reach this point. And with the Ducks on the doorstep of a potential title run, he wasn’t about to walk away.
“I wouldn’t be in the position I am without these players and without these coaches and without Dan,” Stein said. “I would feel like a complete fraud if I left these guys throughout this playoff run. Honestly, it’d be crazy.”
He’s not alone in that sentiment. Lupoi, too, has stayed invested in Oregon’s current mission. Both coaches have poured themselves into this team - time, energy, even time away from their families - and they’re not about to hit the brakes with the finish line in sight.
“This game is the most important thing for us right now,” Stein said. “We have to make sure that we are pouring into these players that have poured so much into this program here at Oregon. That’s really, currently, where my main focus is - making sure we have a great game plan for James Madison.”
And that game plan won’t come easy. The Dukes might not carry the national brand name of some other playoff teams, but don’t let that fool you - they’ve earned their spot. Stein sees a defense that’s as legit as any Oregon has faced this year.
“It’s the No. 1 or No. 2 defense in the country,” he said. “Their rush defense is stout.
They have great players on that side of the ball. Their coordinator is really good.
Their head coach is really good.”
So yeah, it’s a lot. Running one program while trying to help another win a national title?
That’s not exactly a part-time gig. But Stein’s approach is simple: don’t let the noise creep in.
“It’s all noise,” he said. “If you let it get to you, it can be an issue.
I’ve chosen not to let it get to me, and focus on the task at hand. When I need to delegate to the University of Kentucky, I do that.
But when I’m here at Oregon in the building, all focus is on the Ducks winning this first playoff game.”
That first playoff test kicks off Saturday at 4:30 PM, with Oregon and James Madison squaring off on TNT and streaming on HBO Max. For now, Stein’s not thinking about Lexington. He’s got a playoff game to win in Eugene.