LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Will Stein's first head coaching job comes with a hefty paycheck, and plenty of potential bonuses.
The University of Kentucky will pay Stein $5.5 million in his first year as head football coach, according to a term sheet obtained by WDRB through an open records request.
The deal, with guaranteed base pay totaling $28.5 million, spans five years through Jan. 31, 2031, and includes automatic one-year extensions for each season the Wildcats reach the College Football Playoff, with annual raises of $100,000 built in for those additional years.
The contract has not yet been finalized but was signed by Stein, UK athletics director Mitch Barnhart, and UK President Eli Capilouto on Dec. 1, 2025.
Big salary, but a lower buyout risk
Stein’s $5.5 million starting salary marks a sizable investment for a first-time head coach. But it also reflects a notable reduction from the school’s previous contract with Mark Stoops, which had reached $9 million annually. UK will still owe Stoops $6.75 million per year through 2031 after his firing last month.
By comparison, Stein’s buyout terms are friendlier to the university. If UK fires Stein without cause, it would owe him 70% of his remaining salary, paid out monthly over the remaining life of the contract. If Stein leaves for another job, he would owe the university 30% of his remaining pay
Performance bonuses: from the classroom to the playoff
The contract includes as much as $2.15 million in potential annual bonuses, ranging from modest team GPA incentives to high-stakes postseason achievements. A team GPA of 3.0 or higher each semester would earn Stein $50,000 per term. Seven wins in a season unlocks a $100,000 bonus, with additional $200,000 bonuses for each win from 8 to 11
Reaching the College Football Playoff carries tiered rewards: $150,000 for a first-round game, $250,000 for a semifinal, and $500,000 for the championship. Winning the national title would earn another $500,000. Winning the SEC title would bring in another $150,000, on top of $100,000 for merely making the game
Other notable incentives:
— $100,000 for winning SEC Coach of the Year
— $100,000 for National Coach of the Year
Other perks
The term sheet also includes the use of a private jet through Feb. 1, 2026, to accommodate travel between Kentucky and Oregon while Stein fulfills duties as offensive coordinator during Oregon’s College Football Playoff run
Additional benefits include:
— Two late-model luxury vehicles or a stipend
— Personal suite at Kroger Field for home games
— Tickets to other UK sporting events
— Membership in a mutually agreed-upon private or golf club
— Standard UK benefits package, including health and retirement
Contract still pending final execution
According to UK’s Open Records office, the document is considered preliminary and will be posted to the university’s online contract archive once a final agreement is executed
Stein, 36, was hired away from Oregon after two seasons as offensive coordinator, and inherits a UK program looking to rebound after consecutive sub-.500 seasons under Stoops. A Louisville native and former Trinity High School quarterback, Stein becomes the youngest head coach in the Southeastern Conference.
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