Will Stein’s first UK football staff is almost full. Here is the latest update
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Will Stein appointed Jay Bateman as defensive coordinator to build aggression
- Bateman brings TFL and sack production history to implement disruptive schemes
- Stein stresses power-of-unit defense and fills staff with familiar coaches
When Kentucky football tabbed Will Stein as its new coach, the biggest questions centered on what Stein’s defense would look like.
Stein’s offensive philosophies were well-known due to his time as offensive coordinator at Oregon and UTSA. His “feed the studs” mantra on that side of the ball was evident in Oregon’s 51-34 blowout of James Madison last Saturday in the Ducks’ playoff opener.
But how does “feed the studs” translate to defense?
“Defense is power-of-unit,” Stein said at his introductory news conference. “It’s not about one individual. … You can have great third-down packages with your edges. You can blitz a corner that might be really good off the edge. Put a safety down in the box. Might be good against the run. There’s multiple ways you can do that schematically.”
Now we know the coaches Stein has tasked to implement that defensive philosophy.
Stein’s pick of former Texas A&M defensive coordinator Jay Bateman to run the Wildcat defense appears to be a signal he will favor a defensive philosophy that mirrors his aggression on offense.
Bateman’s 2024 Texas A&M defense ranked 22nd nationally in tackles for loss. His 2020 North Carolina defense ranked fifth nationally in sacks.
In the news release confirming Bateman’s hire, Stein highlighted Bateman’s “ability to develop players, create disruptive defenses and consistently compete at a high level.”
Bateman called plays for the Aggies in 2024, but Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko took over that responsibility this season.
“Autonomy as the defensive coordinator was really important to me,” Bateman said of his decision to leave for Kentucky before the Aggies’ playoff loss to Miami. “This was one I felt really good about. That was kind of the decision.”
Stein and Bateman have filled out the defensive staff with several position coaches with ties to one of them or the program already.
Safeties coach Josh Christian-Young, the other new defensive hire UK has confirmed, worked with Bateman at Army before stops at Tulane and Houston. Tony Washington, the reported hire to coach outside linebackers and defensive ends, worked with Stein at Oregon before stops at UCLA and Ohio State.
UK also announced Monday defensive line coach Anwar Stewart, who played for UK and spent the last six seasons of Mark Stoops’ tenure in that role, has been retained by Stein. He previously worked for Stoops as a defensive assistant at UK in 2017 and 2018 before one year at Appalachian State.
The final defensive coach on the primary 11-man staff will be California defensive backs coach Allen Brown, according to a report from CBS Sports. Brown, who worked alongside Bateman in one season at Florida in 2023, will coach cornerbacks at UK.
With Stewart and Brown slotted on the defensive staff, only one spot remains in that 11-coach group.
UK has announced Joe Sloan (offensive coordinator), Cutter Leftwich (offensive line) and Joe Price (wide receivers) as offensive assistants. Former Louisville running back Kolby Smith, who spent the past two seasons on the staff at Arkansas, is the pick for running backs coach, according to multiple reports.
That leaves tight ends as the lone position on the roster without a coach. Stein has also not named a special teams coordinator, but that role could be filled by an analyst or one of the 10 recruiting assistants.
The Herald-Leader has confirmed that UTSA offensive coordinator Justin Burke, a former star quarterback at Lexington Catholic who played college football at N.C. State and Louisville, will be on the staff but not as one of the 10 recruiting assistants.
An NCAA rule change prior to the 2024 season allowed analysts and other coaches outside the primary 11-man staff to provide on-field coaching in practices and games, but schools are limited to 11 coaches, including the head coach, who can participate in off-campus recruiting trips.
For instance, Leftwich’s title at Oregon was assistant offensive line coach and run game coordinator even though he was not one of the Ducks’ 10 recruiting assistants. Last season, UK had multiple former coordinators — including one former FBS head coach — on Stoops’ staff.
Oregon’s first-round playoff win means Stein will continue to split time between his duties as offensive coordinator for the Ducks and head coach for Kentucky for at least another two weeks. The No. 5 seed Ducks face No. 4 seed Texas Tech on Jan. 1 in the Orange Bowl in Miami.
Stein could be tied up in Oregon through Jan. 19 if the Ducks advance to the national championship game, but the bulk of his staff should be in Lexington after Christmas in time for the transfer portal to open on Jan. 2. Leftwich also remains with Oregon through the playoff run, but Bateman’s responsibilities with Texas A&M ended with the 10-3 loss to Miami last week.
This story was originally published December 22, 2025 at 2:12 PM.