Will Stein says there are no more excuses for Kentucky Football: “The goal is to win now”

The Will Stein era of Kentucky football officially arrived with a whirlwind of emotion, gratitude, and bold ambition.

In his introductory press conference on Wednesday, the former Oregon offensive coordinator repeatedly described the past two days as “a dream,” underscoring how surreal and meaningful it has been to return home to lead the program he grew up cheering for.

Stein opened by thanking Big Blue Nation and reflecting on what it meant to stand on the indoor practice field named for former Kentucky head coach Rich Brooks, who is someone with whom he formed a connection while at Oregon. He credited Dan Lanning and the Oregon staff for preparing him for this moment, saying his success there directly opened the door to his new opportunity in Lexington.

But the moment that floored him most? His arrival. Stein admitted he was stunned when he stepped off a private jet into a full police escort.

“15 cop cars in front, 15 behind — I felt like the President,” he joked. “That’s when it hit me: This is a big-time gig.”

Stein addressed several core philosophies that will define his tenure. He emphasized the importance of adapting to the new NIL and revenue-sharing era, strongly suggesting that Kentucky’s general manager hire is coming soon and will be elite. He also made it clear that roster building begins with high school recruiting and owning the state of Kentucky.

On the field, Stein promised an identity built on toughness, aggression, and points.

“Our plan is to light up the scoreboard,” he said, adding that he wants a spring game similar to Oregon’s that is physical, competitive, and fan-friendly.

Stein also delivered some candid, energetic moments, including admitting he dropped “a few F-bombs” during his first meeting with players. He was also visibly emotional when describing being selected as the “Y” at Rupp Arena alongside Tayshaun Prince, which was a moment that reminded him how special it is to return home.

Perhaps most importantly, Stein made one thing clear: Excuses are gone.

“There’s no reason why we can’t be successful here. Zero,” he said. “The goal is to win now, not five years from today.”

Mitch Barnhart praised Stein’s offensive innovation, quarterback development skills, and deep Kentucky roots, noting those qualities made him the right fit despite the fast-paced search.

As the program steps into its next chapter, Stein’s message to Big Blue Nation was simple: Kentucky football can, and will, win big, and the work starts immediately.