Report: Kentucky football targeting Oregon OC Will Stein as next coach

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WDRB) -- Kentucky has zeroed in on Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein as its top target to replace Mark Stoops, according to a report Monday from ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

Thamel reports that Kentucky and Stein are "working toward a deal" to make the 36-year-old Louisville native the next head coach of the Wildcats.

As of Monday afternoon, multiple sources told WDRB that no formal offer had been agreed to by Stein. But conversations have advanced, and Stein has emerged as the leading candidate as Kentucky seeks to move quickly in the hiring process.

A former Trinity High School and University of Louisville quarterback, Stein has deep ties to the state — his parents are Kentucky alums, and he grew up attending games in Lexington. His father, Matt, was a player at Kentucky.

Stein has served as Oregon’s offensive coordinator since 2023 and helped guide the Ducks to a Big Ten championship and College Football Playoff berth last season, leading one of the nation’s most explosive and balanced attacks. Oregon ranks top-15 nationally in scoring, rushing, and total offense.

Prior to Oregon, Stein called plays at UTSA, helping lead the Roadrunners to a 2022 Conference USA title. He also spent time coaching at Texas powerhouse Lake Travis High School and began his coaching career under Charlie Strong at Texas.

If hired, Stein would be tasked with reviving a Kentucky offense that struggled in recent seasons under Stoops and providing a jolt of innovation and quarterback development that has been lacking in recent years.

Kentucky parted ways with Stoops on Sunday after 13 seasons. He left as the program’s all-time wins leader with 82 career victories.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Sources: Oregon OC Will Stein is the target to be the next coach at Kentucky and the sides working toward a deal. He’s a Kentucky native who has emerged as one of the country’s top offensive coordinators and play callers. pic.twitter.com/iqUc57x10k
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 2, 2025