The Mark Stoops era at Kentucky has officially come to an end. After more than a decade in Lexington, the university made the decision to part ways with the longtime head coach following another disappointing season that fell short of expectations in the SEC. The move signals a major shift for a program that has spent years trying to climb into permanent relevance within one of the toughest conferences in college football.
Stoops brought stability and credibility to the Wildcats, guiding them to prominent bowl games, elevating recruiting and delivering some of the most successful seasons the program has seen in generations. But recent regression, inconsistency on offense and an inability to keep pace with evolving SEC talent pushed Kentucky to make a change. The school now enters one of its most important coaching searches in two decades.
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Two names have already risen to the top of Kentucky’s early shortlist. Both are rising offensive minds with reputations for player development, recruiting strength and modern schemes that fit where the SEC is heading.
Will Stein: The Fast-Climbing Architect Behind Oregon’s Offense
Will Stein has quickly become one of the most intriguing young coaches in college football. As Oregon’s offensive coordinator, he has overseen one of the nation’s most explosive and efficient offenses, turning the Ducks into a machine built on tempo, spacing and quarterback optimization. Under Stein, Oregon has regularly ranked among the top programs in scoring, yards per play and explosive pass plays.
What makes Stein stand out even more is his adaptability. He has been successful at multiple stops despite differing personnel, and coaches around the country praise his creativity, teaching ability and leadership. Kentucky has lacked offensive identity for several years, and Stein’s approach would immediately give the Wildcats a modern foundation.
His recruiting connections span the West Coast, Texas and the Southeast, giving Kentucky a chance to refresh its talent pipeline. For a program that wants a high-upside swing, Stein fits the profile perfectly. Not to mention, he’s a Kentucky native, that will have a lot of power in the region.
Brian Hartline: One of College Football’s Most Respected Recruiters and Developers
Brian Hartline has built a reputation that almost speaks for itself. At Ohio State, he has developed one elite wide receiver after another. His ability to recruit, evaluate and elevate talent is unmatched. He has also transitioned into offensive coordinator duties, bringing a polished understanding of scheme and passing-game structure.
Kentucky sees Hartline as someone who can bring instant credibility on the recruiting trail. With deep ties in Ohio, the Midwest and Florida, he would provide an immediate boost to Kentucky’s footprint. The Wildcats have often succeeded when landing upper-tier Midwest prospects, and Hartline could accelerate that trend dramatically.
Another major factor is his ability to surround himself with strong staff hires. Kentucky wants someone who can build a modern, SEC-ready operation, and Hartline checks every box in terms of leadership, player relationships and offensive identity. We know rabid Ohio State fans won’t like hearing some of their own may leave, but trust me, money talks and no one turns down a chance to coach football as the boss. Perhaps Hartline is suited well at The Shoe, but there’s blood and program ties at Kentucky. It wouldn’t surprise one bit for him to accept the position. Besides, Ryan Day has it all figured out, why would you OSU-ers even mind?
What Kentucky Needs in Its Next Coach
The Wildcats are searching for the next phase of their identity. Stoops built a tough, stable program, but the SEC is now dominated by explosive offenses, elite quarterback play and aggressive recruiting, something UK really struggled with and Stoops kept playing the blame game for. Kentucky wants a coach capable of taking a foundational roster and turning it into a more dynamic, modern unit.
Both Stein and Hartline bring youth, energy and proven player-development qualities. Either hire would mark a clear shift toward offensive innovation. Jon Sumrall is now going to be coaching in Gainesville thanks to Mitch Barnhart’s stupidity – these two can savor the moment. Not Dan Mullen. Not Jon Gruden. Will Stein or Brian Hartline.
Kentucky’s administration hopes to move quickly, but they also intend to be thorough. The next head coach will inherit a program with solid infrastructure, loyal fan support and a campus that had tons of money dumped into it committed to competing at a higher level. The question now is whether the Wildcats take the bold route with Stein or the recruiting powerhouse route with Hartline. As a diehard Kentucky fan, I’m perfectly OK with both of these guys, but my heart leans Hartline because I know how important it is to recruit at Kentucky.
One thing is certain: the post-Stoops era will look and feel very different. I’m beyond excited.
