(Lexington, KY) — The Kentucky football team has found its head coach. Less than 24 hours after firing Mark Stoops, the Wildcats named Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein as their next coach.
Stein is the son of UK alumni – father Matt played football at UK for Jerry Claiborne and mother Debbie is an avid fan – and he inherited their passion as he grew up watching the Wildcats in the then-Commonwealth Stadium. He later competed in the stadium as Louisville’s quarterback and assistant coach.
Stein, 36, returns to the Commonwealth from the University of Oregon, where he has been the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for three seasons.
Stein’s Oregon offensive unit ranks ninth in the country in scoring at 38.2 points per game. His attack is well-balanced, averaging 218.4 rushing yards per game and 246.8 passing yards per game. The total offense of 465.2 yards per contest ranks 13th in the nation.
Stein replaces Mark Stoops, who was fired on Monday morning after 13 seasons at the helm of the Wildcats’ program.