EUGENE — Will Stein is heading to his old Kentucky home.
Oregon’s offensive coordinator for the past three seasons, Stein is finalizing terms to become the next head coach at Kentucky, according to multiple reports.
Yahoo first reported the impending deal for Stein, who is earning $1.75 million this season. His buyout is waived because he’s becoming an FBS head coach.
No. 6 Oregon (11-1, 8-1 Big Ten) has had one of the top offenses in the country in each of the past three seasons under Stein.
The Ducks are No. 9 nationally in scoring, No. 13 in total offense, No. 14 in rushing and No. 50 in passing yards but No. 7 in efficiency this season.
Dante Moore is completing 72.5% of his passes for 2,733 yards with 24 touchdowns and six interceptions this season under Stein and the Ducks are rushing for their most yards since 2017.
Oregon quarterbacks Bo Nix and Dillon Gabriel were each Heisman Trophy finalists under Stein, with Nix setting the NCAA single-season completion percentage record in 2023 and Gabriel breaking the NCAA career touchdowns record in 2024.
Prior to UO, Stein spent three seasons at UTSA, the first two years as wide receivers coach and later as quarterbacks coach and co-offensive coordinator.
With Stein calling plays in 2022, UTSA ranked in the top 20 nationally in pass efficiency, third-down offense, total offense, scoring, passing and red zone.
Before his time at UTSA, Stein worked at Lake Travis High School (2018-19), Texas (2015-17) and Louisville (2013-14), where he played quarterback.
Stein, who replaces Mark Stoops, will be the second offensive coordinator under Dan Lanning to become a head coach of a Power Four program, joining Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham.
