In the same week that the University of Mississippi named former UTSA football defensive coordinator Pete Golding its head coach, the University of Kentucky signed former UTSA co-offensive coordinator Will Stein to a five-year deal.
Stein has been a rising star since he led the Roadrunners to back-to-back Conference USA championships from 2021-22. In his final year in San Antonio, Stein’s offense was No. 9 in the country in total offense and No. 12 in both passing and scoring offense. Under his tutelage, stars like quarterback Frank Harris, along with wide receivers De’Corian Clark, Joshua Cephus and Zakhari Franklin flourished. The Runners’ dynamic offensive attack was a large reason they were able to make the jump from C-USA to the American Athletic Conference in 2023.
The Roadrunners’ exploding brand came with a cost, though: the departure of its young, dynamic offensive mind.
Stein joined the University of Oregon in December of 2022 and has helped the Ducks boast a top 10 scoring offense in two of his three years. Under Stein, the Ducks have had two quarterbacks — Dillon Gabriel and Bo Nix — selected in the NFL Draft, and should he decide to declare, a third in current quarterback Dante Moore.
For Kentucky, it’s an exciting breath of fresh air for a program that is coming off of five and four-win seasons over the past two years. Wildcats’ previous head coach Mark Stoops took over the reins in 2013, and in 12 seasons, led Kentucky to an overall record of 82-80.
While Kentucky fans are surely excited about the hire, UTSA fans should be celebrating as well. Stein participated in the most iconic era of the program, and his contributions paved the way for the program’s status today. Though it’s likely UTSA football fans would love to have Stein on the Alamodome sidelines, they should be happy for him. Once a Roadrunner, always a Roadrunner.
