Will Stein got a roaring ovation in Rupp Arena, exchanging a hug with the Wildcat mascot, playing catch in the blue end zone with his toddler son, but the Ducks need him back on that plane with a playoff game in 16 days.
He's agreed to do double duty and call plays for the Oregon offense through the playoffs, something Dan Lanning did four years ago as the defensive coordinator at Georgia, the right way for a coach to handle it in the manic compressed environment college football creates at the end of the year.
The 36-year-old Stein got a five-year contract to coach the Wildcats, the place where Rich Brooks went after a brief stint in the NFL back in the '90s. He earned the promotion after engineering three Top 20 offenses in Eugene, helping Dan Lanning and the Ducks compile a 36-4 record, one of the best periods in school history.
Doing The "Y" - Bringing the energy!@CoachWillStein x @KentuckyMBB x @Rupp_Arena pic.twitter.com/nRhPtado5U
— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) December 3, 2025
Stein's prospects are good in a place that will appreciate him, but UO had him first
With his quarterback-friendly offense and affable manner, as well as his supreme work ethic, he's liable to be a huge success at UK, where the expectations are reasonable and scheme innovation is critical. He's not going to out-recruit Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Texas A&M and LSU, but with a quarterback who can sling it and three fast receivers, he'll make a bowl most seasons and occasionally challenge for a big year.
Duck fans wish him well, but for now they need him watching film and checking Dante Moore's arm angle for six more weeks. He has the smarts and the drive to pull off both jobs for a while, and the support team in Eugene is excellent. The game plan will get crafted.
Congratulations, Coach. Now get your new-rich behind back to the big dance.