LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky is finalizing a deal to hire Will Stein as its next football coach, according to multiple reports.

Stein, a Louisville native who played quarterback for the Cardinals but grew up a UK fan, spent the last three seasons as Oregon’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

He replaces Mark Stoops, who was fired Monday after 13 seasons as Kentucky’s winningest coach.

In his first season as Kentucky’s head coach, Mark Stoops went 2-10, followed by consecutive 5-7 campaigns. In 2025, he again led the Wildcats to a 5-7 record, ending the season with a 41-0 loss to Louisville.

Kentucky missed a bowl game in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2014-15, Stoops’ second and third years.

On Dec. 1, 2025, Kentucky fired Stoops after a second straight losing

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