Growth and change are an essential part of the college football business. Dan Lanning has often said he wants to establish a coaching tree and create opportunities for his staff.
Reports from Chris Low and Pete Nakos of On3 Sports and PFF College indicate that the Kentucky Wildcats are hiring Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein as their new football coach after firing Mark Stoops earlier in the day.
Stein, 36, has built high-powered, winning offenses for the Ducks over the last three years with Bo Nix, Dillon Gabriel and Dante Moore, sending the first two to the NFL. The Ducks have averaged 38.2, 34.9 and 44.2 points per game over those three seasons.
The first question for the Ducks is how long he'll remain at Oregon with the team slated to host a first-round playoff game December 19 or 20. When Dan Lanning was hired in Eugene, he played a dual role in the early weeks, building a staff and overseeing recruiting while coaching the Georgia defense to the National Championship.
Kentucky is hiring Oregon OC Will Stein to be their next Head Coach🔵
— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 2, 2025
Since 2023 Under Stein, Oregon has had a Top 10 Graded Offense EACH Season pic.twitter.com/h9tfelaxGc
Stein is from Louisville and started his coaching career as a Cardinal graduate assistant. His wife Darby was a lacrosse player there, so they both have ties to the area. Under Stoops, the Wildcats are 9-15 over the last two seasons. They last went to a bowl in 2023.
Additionally, Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi is rumored to be the leading candidate at Cal. He's a former Bear defensive lineman and began his coaching career as a defensive line coach and ace recruiter in Berkeley.
Early Signing Day begins Wednesday and the coaching revelations could affect Oregon's chances with key players. They've been trying to pry Chris Henry Jr. from Ohio State, but Brian Hartline being passed over/turning down the Kentucky job lessens their pull with the 6-5, five-star Mater Dei receiver.