{"id":331640,"date":"2025-12-05T07:54:09","date_gmt":"2025-12-05T07:54:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/331640\/"},"modified":"2025-12-05T07:54:09","modified_gmt":"2025-12-05T07:54:09","slug":"will-stein-explains-why-he-will-not-call-plays-at-kentucky","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/331640\/","title":{"rendered":"Will Stein explains why he will not call plays at Kentucky"},"content":{"rendered":"

Will Stein<\/a> is Kentucky\u2019s new head football coach because of the success that he has had as an offensive coordinator at UTSA and Oregon. The 36-year-old has quickly become one of the best play callers in college football. The data speaks for itself.<\/p>\n

Stein has tutored multiple big-time NFL quarterbacks, produced 1,000-yard rushers, played a key role on multiple conference title teams, and coached in the College Football Playoff. Some of the numbers have been ridiculous.<\/p>\n

Will Stein’s quickie stat profile as an offensive coordinator. The program ties and QB development are obvious but this is why he was hired. pic.twitter.com\/ewXYhqQR5N<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Adam Luckett (@AdamLuckettKSR) December 2, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Many assumed that the play calling process wouldn\u2019t stop when Will Stein takes over the Kentucky football program. The new head football coach in the Bluegrass has dropped on \u201cnot so fast, my friend\u201d on the Big Blue Nation. In a sit down interview with BBN Tonight\u2019s Keith Farmer<\/a>, Stein opened up on what the play calling process will be for UK in 2026.<\/p>\n

Stein will not call plays.<\/p>\n

\u201cI do believe I\u2019m one of the best play callers in the country, and I know why I\u2019m in this position. But I don\u2019t want to be a great play caller. I want to be a great head coach,\u201d Stein explained. \u201cAnd when you think about the guys who won national championships, recently, and old, it\u2019s guys who are great head coaches.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to be heavily involved in the offense every step of the way, but just because I\u2019m not reading off into the mic to our quarterback doesn\u2019t mean that I\u2019m not meticulous about what plays are being called and when it\u2019s being called.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kalen DeBoer<\/a> (Alabama), Lane Kiffin<\/a> (Ole Miss), Curt Cignetti<\/a> (Indiana), and Ryan Day<\/a> (Ohio State) all led teams expected to participate in this year\u2019s College Football Playoff. Each has an offensive background with a history coaching quarterbacks. Only Cignetti never called plays before becoming a head coach. None of them serve as a primary play-caller in 2025. Elsewhere, Kenny Dillingham<\/a> immediately gave up play-calling at Arizona State. He led his alma mater to a Big 12 title and a College Football Playoff berth in year two. For years, many defensive head coaches decide to give up play-calling once becoming a head coach. Offensive coaches now seem to be following that blueprint. It has worked well for Dan Lanning<\/a> at Oregon. Stein will be doing something similar Kentucky.<\/p>\n

We should expect the game plan and play-calling process to be very collaborative with Will Stein being highly involved. But it\u2019s clear now that the new UK coach believes he needs to be involved in other areas and not consumed with everything that comes with calling plays on game days. The goal is be a successful CEO and strong leader over everything else for the Kentucky football program.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to be a great head coach,\u201d Stein said.<\/p>\n