UK Athletics Photo
So far new football coach Will Stein seems to have done no wrong with Kentucky football fans.
From his interactions on social media to his no-fear attitude to recruiting, Stein has been a huge hit with Kentucky fans.
That’s why I recently asked on social media what has impressed them the most about Stein and got a wide variety of answers. I decided to share some of those today:
— “I love his ‘go for it’ attitude and that our staff seems young, smart, & hungry! The season kicks off on my birthday and I can’t wait!”
— “The energy. They all seem excited to be here and wear the blue. In week 2 everybody will know about Kentucky football when they beat Bama!”
— “His whole approach: Attacking the job with the most modern perspective and injecting the football program with a jolt, 100 miles an hour.”
— “Recruiting.”
— “The energy, and the focus on recruiting, the aggressiveness that is being displayed. His play calling as well of the development of the QB! So excited that people are talking more about him and UK football everywhere!”
— “His ability to recruit and the decisions he made so far.”
—“Seems very open and available to discuss his thoughts and plans.”
— “His level of Execution — Ability to Execute makes good go to great!”
— “His football IQ, seems very smart when it comes to game tactics and also his recruiting and overall attitude. A breath of fresh air to the program.”
— “Landed quality recruits (’26 transfer portal & ’27 HS players). He’s brought back excitement & optimism to the fan base.”
– “The fact that he was a Louisville Cardinal and learned offense from one of greatest offensive mind coaches in football in Bobby Petrino. Hopefully as a Head Coach he will flourish even at Kentucky.”
– “Everything really!! But for a first time head coach I’ll just say his confidence. I’m pretty confident too. He is gonna be great here! He has a completely different mindset than anyone else we’ve ever had in that position.”
– “His organization skills and recruiting.”
– “Confidence.”
3 Responses
You have to admire Stein's confidence and energy. I read that his upcoming schedule is in the top 5 toughest in the country…a daunting task for any first year coach. I am not sure that a bowl game is in the cards, but I think BBN will see an exciting brand of football where we play to win versus playing not to lose. It took Cignetti 2 years to turn around Indiana's program, I would think a 4 year window would be more realistic here at Kentucky. I am not expecting an undefeated national champion, but making the 12 team playoff would be a very realistic goal. Now, if only Pope could pull a rabbit out of the hat maybe people would not think of our basketball program as the next Indiana.
Barry as I stare down the roster I absolutely think a bowl game is within reach. We will have the best offensive line we have had in years. The same with the defensive line and secondary. I think in week 2 we knock Alabama off at Kroger field. That game will be the turning point in the season. We will get our confidence up. I really really like our running backs, Baxter and Barnes. We have playmakers at receiver. Let me circle back to the offensive line. We should have preseason 2-3 All SEC offensive lineman and we should have at least 2 players on the defense preseason all SEC. Bryant and Gadson. We have 3 offensive lineman who at the end of the year will all be selected in the first 3 rounds of the NFL draft. Stein killed it in the portal. Sykes at cornerback is going to turn some heads. Breaux and Harkless on the defensive line will turn some heads along with Gadson and Humphrey Grace. Then at linebacker we have a future star in Bo Barnes who was a 5* recruit in high school. The first game of the season we will look bland because Stein will save all the tricks up his sleeve for the second game against Alabama. Win that second game and all of a sudden the Texas A&M game looks manageable.
I think at worst we go 6-6 or 7-5 but anything is possible with this team.