See the salary, buyout details from Will Stein’s first Kentucky contract
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Kentucky hires Will Stein on a five-year deal starting at $5.5M in 2025.
- Contract adds $100K yearly raises and up to $2.15M in performance bonuses.
- Buyout terms limit upfront cost: 70% owed if fired, paid monthly, saving vs Stoops.
New Kentucky football coach Will Stein will be paid $5.5 million in his first season on the job.
Stein agreed to a five-year contract with UK that will run through the 2030 season. His annual salary will increase by $100,000 each year. Stein’s salary and other benefits were outlined in a term sheet obtained by the Herald-Leader through the state’s open records law.
As part of the deal, Stein will receive an automatic one-year extension anytime Kentucky reaches the College Football Playoff, but his contract would max out with five remaining years in any season.
He could receive up to $2.15 million in bonuses each year with incentives ranging from $50,000 for a team GPA of at least 3.0 each semester to $500,000 for winning a national championship. Stein would receive $100,000 for winning seven games. He would receive an additional $200,000 for wins eight through 11 in a season. Winning SEC Coach of the Year would net him a $50,000 bonus. Winning National Coach of the Year would earn him $100,000.
Stein would earn $100,000 for reaching the SEC Championship and $150,000 for winning it. He could earn up to $500,000 for reaching the playoff, depending on the furthest round Kentucky reaches.
Through Feb. 1, 2026, Stein is allowed the use of a private jet for travel between Kentucky and Oregon while he splits duties between UK and his role as Oregon offensive coordinator for the playoff. He also will receive personal use of one luxury suite for football games, two late model luxury automobiles, “reasonable tickets” to other UK sporting events and membership in one mutually agreed upon private club or golf club.
The deal represents financial savings for Kentucky, which must still pay fired coach Mark Stoops $6.75 million per year through 2031.
Stoops’ final UK contract paid him $9 million per year. He could earn an additional $250,000 per win starting with win No. 9 each season. That contract included bonuses for reaching non-playoff bowl games ($100,000-150,000); reaching the playoff ($300,000); advancing to the playoff quarterfinals ($400,000); advancing to the semifinals ($500,000); advancing to the championship game ($650,000); and winning a national championship ($800,000).
Over the last two years, as Stoops’ results at UK dipped, UK athletic director Mitch Barnhart came under increasing pressure due to a buyout structure that would require UK to pay 75% of Stoops’ remaining salary within 60 days if it fired him without cause. Stoops ultimately agreed to have that buyout paid out over multiple years rather than in one lump sum, according to a report from On3 Sports after he was fired, but UK has not publicly revealed the details of any amended severance agreement.
If UK fires Stein without cause, it would owe him 70% of his remaining compensation, but those payments would be made monthly through the remainder of the deal. Meanwhile, Stein would owe UK 30% of his remaining salary if he leaves for another job.
Stein was paid $1.4 million this season by Oregon as its offensive coordinator, according to a USA Today database.
This story was originally published December 8, 2025 at 6:09 PM.