Oregon State, Ohio State assistants emerge as HC targets
in 2025 Kentucky football the season quickly turned into a season of disaster. The Wildcats finished 5-7 and decided to part ways with Mark Stoopswho was in Lexington for 13 seasons. Things seemed to be running their course for Stoops at Kentucky, and it was time for a chance. The Wildcats are an attractive deal in the SEC and will have options, especially with big-time assistant coaches.
On3’s college football reporter and insider, Pete Nakos, reported that the two main options for Kentucky are two of the most successful assistant coaches in the country: Oregon’s Will Stein and Ohio State’s Brian Hartline. The two are the most sought-after assistants during this season’s coaching carousel.
Nakos posted on X: “Oregon’s Will Stein and Ohio State’s Brian Hartline are the two top names for Kentucky, @PeteNakos reports (eyeball emoji).”
Will Stein will get the most love for his Kentucky connections. Stein is from Kentucky, and his father played defensive end for the Wildcats. He has an older brother who also played at Kentucky, and his mom graduated as a Wildcat. However, he grew up in Louisville and joined the Cardinals as a quarterback.
“Actually, I grew up a die-hard Cats fan. My dad played there, so I went to every game at Commonwealth Stadium. I grew up around real SEC football,” Will Stein told On3 before last season.
Despite the Louisville-Kentucky rivalry, Stein’s ties to the Wildcats run deep. If he were to be hired in Lexington, he would be welcomed with open arms because of those connections, as well as his status as a great offensive coordinator. The Wildcats could use a starting offense, and Stein would be perfect for that. Stein was considered for other jobs, such as UCLAbut this one makes more sense.
Brian Hartline is a different case because he has no ties to Kentucky like Stein. His brother was on the staff with Mark Stoops in a backup role, but that’s about it. Still, Hartline is widely regarded as one of the top recruiters in the nation, and he’s poised to be a head coach soon, whether it’s at Kentucky or another job down the road.
2025-12-01 20:22:00
