Will Stein is known as one of the brightest young offensive minds in the country. His offense at Oregon was known for its extreme efficiency, and he carries the respect of Dan Lanning and other Ducks coaches as he prepares to serve as the Kentucky head coach in the 2026 season.
What Will Stein Learned From Dan Lanning and the Oregon Staff
Stein appeared this week on the podcast of three-time first-team All-American David Pollack, where he spoke highly of Lanning and the other Oregon coaches who helped shape his path to becoming Kentucky’s head coach.
“Dan is the ultimate head coach,” Stein said (5:00). “He is involved in every facet of the program and not in a micromanaging way. He just demands a certain way, and his standard has not changed. I was just so impressed with his daily habits and how he was able to get so many things done within a 24-hour span.”
“He’s the best motivator I’ve ever been around. Just his messaging is incredible… he’s authentic. That’s what I think Dan Lanning is. He is himself, and that’s honestly what I try to be. I’m not going to be Dan. I’m going to be me. But what I learned from Dan, what I learned from guys like (Bobby) Petrino and Jeff Traylor and Bob Beatty and Charlie Strong… it just molds you in ways that I’m just so grateful to be molded.”
In his final season at Oregon, Stein mentored Dante Moore to 3,565 passing yards and 30 touchdowns, leading Oregon to another College Football Playoff appearance.
Oregon’s offense consistently ranked among the nation’s best throughout Stein’s three-year tenure, finishing last season with an 84.6 score in the PFSN College Football Offense Impact Metric, placing 13th nationally.
Stein is now expected to carry on his success at Kentucky. His squad had a short spring practice on Saturday, opting not to train in full sun.
SEE ALSO: Will Stein Credits Teddy Bridgewater for Path Back to Kentucky As Head Coach
While pleased with the players’ intensity, Stein is focused on cultivating a tough, tight-knit team and plans to use daily breakout sessions to strengthen bonds beyond the football field.
“I want them to feel that and feel the grit and the toughness that I coach with and what I played with,” Stein said. “Just building the connection. I mean, connection to me is so important, especially in today’s college football, where each team each year is new. But that doesn’t mean that you don’t become a connected team. We do get real opportunities every single Wednesday with our team in small group breakout sessions where we’re talking about everything besides football.”
Kentucky is scheduled to host its spring game on April 18.
