Will Stein makes first public appearance at Rupp Arena as Kentucky football coach
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Kentucky football coach Will Stein is at Rupp Arena for UK basketball game against UNC.
- Stein will replace Mark Stoops, who was Kentucky’s football coach for 13 seasons.
- Stein is a Kentucky native who was most recently the offensive coordinator at Oregon.
The new leader of Kentucky’s football program is already making his first appearance at Rupp Arena.
On Tuesday night, football coach Will Stein was at Rupp Arena to take in Kentucky basketball’s marquee home game against North Carolina in the ACC/SEC Challenge.
During a first-half timeout, Stein was introduced as the “Y” to a massive ovation from the Rupp Arena crowd.
Stein, the offensive coordinator at Oregon, is a Louisville native and the son of a former UK football player. He comes from a family of Wildcat fans. His introductory press conference as the Kentucky coach will be Wednesday afternoon.
Stein — who helped lead Trinity High School to a trio of Kentucky state championships before playing quarterback at Louisville — replaces Mark Stoops at the top of UK’s football program. Stoops was fired by Kentucky on Monday after 13 seasons on the job. Stein’s hiring was announced by UK late Monday night.
Reports indicate Stein plans to juggle his new job in Lexington with remaining Oregon’s offensive coordinator during the Ducks’ College Football Playoff run.
It’s shaping up to be a hectic December for Stein. The early signing period for high school and junior college recruits begins Wednesday. Because UK changed coaches, current Wildcats can begin entering the NCAA transfer portal this weekend. Players from other programs can begin entering the portal Jan. 2.
For Kentucky, the focus likely will be on retaining redshirt freshman quarterback Cutter Boley, who emerged as the team’s starter this season.
Additionally, Stein will be busy putting together his coaching staff. That will include a new defensive coordinator following the departure of Brad White, who is leaving UK to become the defensive coordinator at Florida. White will work under Jon Sumrall, the former Kentucky player and coach who will be the Gators’ new head coach.
During his weekly radio show Monday night, UK basketball coach Mark Pope took time to praise what Stoops did during his coaching tenure in Lexington.
“The one thing I know about Mark is he could not have given one more ounce of blood, sweat and tears, of his whole heart and life, to this pursuit of making Kentucky football what it was,” Pope said of Stoops. “And so, we’re so grateful for him.”
This story was originally published December 2, 2025 at 8:15 PM.
