Kentucky Football Looks to Boost Speed Under New Coach

Wildcats hope Will Stein's Oregon-inspired practices will energize the team ahead of his first season.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 6:51pm

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A cubist-style painting featuring fragmented, geometric shapes representing players, footballs, and field lines, conveying the dynamic energy of a Kentucky football practice session.Kentucky's new coaching staff aims to energize the team's offense with a fast-paced, high-intensity approach during spring practices.Lexington Today

Kentucky's new head football coach Will Stein is using spring practices to implement faster-paced drills and conditioning techniques that he learned during his time as an assistant at Oregon. Stein is aiming to transform the Wildcats' offense and defense with increased speed and energy before his debut season leading the program.

Why it matters

Kentucky has struggled with inconsistent play and a lack of explosiveness on both sides of the ball in recent seasons. Stein's hire as the new head coach signifies a shift towards a more up-tempo, high-octane style of play that could help the Wildcats become more competitive in the SEC.

The details

Stein has been running Kentucky through a series of rapid-fire drills and conditioning workouts during spring practices, drawing on the fast-paced approach he experienced at Oregon. The goal is to get the Wildcats' players moving quicker, thinking faster, and playing with more energy and intensity.

  • Spring practices are currently underway for the Kentucky football team.

The players

Will Stein

The new head football coach for the University of Kentucky, previously served as an assistant coach at the University of Oregon.

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What they’re saying

“We've got to get our guys playing with more speed and aggression. That's the only way we're going to be able to compete in this conference.”

— Will Stein, Head Football Coach

What’s next

Kentucky will continue spring practices over the next several weeks as they work to implement Stein's new high-tempo approach. The team's annual spring game is scheduled for May 1st.

The takeaway

Stein's arrival at Kentucky signals a shift towards a more dynamic, fast-paced style of play for the Wildcats. If the team can successfully adopt his Oregon-inspired techniques, it could help them become a more competitive force in the SEC.