Will Stein didn’t come to SEC Media Days sounding like a coach trying to blend into the background.
The first-year Kentucky head coach stepped into the spotlight and made the kind of statement that turns heads fast. Asked why he believes he can win big at Kentucky, Stein pointed straight back at himself.
“This is going to sound like really… I think because of me, to be honest,” Stein said. “I think ’cause of me.
I think I know what it takes. I have seen it at the highest levels.
I know what it takes to recruit at this level. You just got to believe, man.
You just got to put the ball down and play. There’s really nothing else to be said.
“Is it going to happen overnight? I don’t know.
I really don’t. If I had a crystal ball, everybody in this room would be really, really rich now.
The best determination of what you’re doing is working is putting the ball down and playing football.”
Stein, who grew up in Kentucky, said his background and what he has learned since taking the job have only strengthened his belief in what the program can become. He sees Lexington as a place that can support a winner, and he believes the Wildcats can recruit well in multiple directions.
“Growing up a fan is great,” Stein said. “It’s one thing.
I know the players that we can get here. I know we can recruit north, south and east.
People come to Lexington and love it. The longer I live there, the more I am like, wow, this place is incredible.
It’s got everything that you want. It’s great food, nightlife, community, university.
It’s safe. Big Blue Nation.
I takes some TLC. You have to go attack.
You can’t sit back and wait. That’s one thing I refuse to do at Kentucky is to wait.
“I’m really excited about our administration, the direction that it’s going. Again, I said I was so fired up that Mitch brought me here.
I’m also excited about what the future holds. That’s why I’m excited.
That’s why I believe. Or else I wouldn’t have taken the job.
I would have stayed at Oregon, coached Dante (Moore), stayed out there.”
If Kentucky ever does climb into true title contention under Stein, it would mark a major shift for a program with a thin trophy case. The Wildcats list only the 1950 national title and two SEC championships, one in 1950 and another retroactively awarded for the 1976 season.
And the road ahead still runs through familiar trouble. Tennessee owns the series against Kentucky 86-26-9 and has won the last five meetings under Josh Heupel.
The next matchup between the Wildcats and Vols is set for Nov. 7, 2026, at Neyland Stadium, with kickoff listed between 6-8 p.m. ET.
In Other News...
Jim Knowles May Be Eyeing A Risky Tennessee Defensive Adjustment
Jim Knowles is still sorting out Tennessees defense, and one of the first personnel puzzles sits at the LEO spot after Chaz Colemans departure. Tulane transfer Jordan Norman is expected to open there, but the bigger issue is what comes behind him, especially with the Volunteers trying to build enough depth for a position that asks for speed, length and constant pressure off the edge.
The answer may come from elsewhere on the roster. Tennessee has a deep linebacker group, and the staff is considering cross-training some of those players to help at edge, a move that could give the defense more flexibility if the rotation gets tested. With Arion Carter, Amare Campbell and other linebackers all competing for time, Knowles appears to have options, but also a decision that could shape how aggressive this front can be early in the season. [Read more 🡒]
Greg Sankey Just Sent Alabama A Serious Playoff Warning
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Sankey also pointed to a broader frustration inside the league about the selection process, saying the conversation with CFP officials has not gone smoothly and that there are real concerns about whether the committee fully understands SEC scheduling. For Tennessee, and for the rest of the conference, the bigger issue is what comes next if those concerns keep building, because the talk around a possible break from the current playoff structure is no longer being treated like idle noise. [Read more 🡒]
Josh Heupels Biggest Offseason Move Could Fix Tennessees Biggest Problem
Josh Heupel spent the offseason making changes that go beyond the depth chart, and one of the most notable came in the weight room. Tennessee brought in Derek Owings as its new strength and conditioning coach after Kurt Schmidts contract expired, a move that gives the Vols a fresh voice in a part of the program that can shape how quickly the roster responds to the next stage of Heupels build. Owings arrives with Indiana experience and a familiar connection to Heupel from their time together at UCF, which should make the transition smoother as Tennessee tries to sharpen its edge.
The timing matters because the Vols are also entering a pivotal stretch on offense, where development and durability will be under the microscope. Tennessee has already seen tangible changes in its body composition this offseason, and the hope is that those gains translate when the games start and the pressure ramps up. With the roster adjusting in more than one way, Owings impact could end up being one of the quieter storylines that helps determine how stable Tennessee looks when the season starts to ask bigger questions. [Read more 🡒]