KSR Podcast Summary: Hour 2 — December 4, 2025

Main Theme:
This episode of Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) is centered on an in-depth interview with Will Stein, the newly appointed head football coach at the University of Kentucky. Matt Jones and the KSR crew dive into Stein’s coaching philosophy, plans for the program, approach to recruiting, NIL, and a range of topics relevant to Kentucky sports, with spirited discussion and reaction from the hosts.

Will Stein Joins KSR: The Interview

[03:42] Will Stein is introduced as UK’s new head football coach

Will Stein’s Early Impressions and First Days

• Will describes the last few days as a whirlwind, likening it to "the wedding, the reception... now we’re paying bills today."
• He emphasizes how the first days have moved quickly from celebration to focusing on the work ahead.

Quote:
"I’m just floored to have this opportunity. It’s a dream come true. ... Yesterday was like the wedding, the reception... now we’re paying bills today."
— Will Stein [04:06]

Coaching Philosophy & Offensive Identity

• Offense described as “aggressive” and “multiple” — built around adapting to personnel and maximizing quarterback play.
• Stresses flexibility: "Each year it looks a little bit different... the way that we get to the plays we like can be different within each year, within each game."
• Run game variety and vertical passing are emphasized, with the quarterback position central to his strategy.

Quote:
"It’s aggressive, it’s multiple ... It’s built around the quarterback. And each year it looks a little bit different."
— Will Stein [05:15]

Adapting Schemes to Quarterbacks

• Will details how he adjusted schemes for QBs like Bo Nix, Dylan Gabriel, and Dante Moore, each with unique traits.
• "Bo is probably the most elite processor I've ever been around... Dylan ... fearless, extremely accurate... Dante Moore ... probably the most accurate guy I’ve ever been around. They’re all different, but what makes them special is they work their ass off." [06:25]

Quarterback Situation at Kentucky

• Will met with current QB Cutter recently, encourages open competition for the role.
• Spring practice will operate with “blue squad and white squad,” changing weekly — no fixed depth chart, aiming to develop full roster and keep competition alive.
• Explicitly states he wants Cutter and all current players to stay, but emphasizes culture of competition.

Quote:
"There's not going to be a depth chart... We're going to have a blue squad and a white squad. Those will change weekly... It's going to allow us to develop our roster."
— Will Stein [07:52]

Recruiting, NIL, and Kentucky's Competitive Edge

Dream Job & Kentucky’s Appeal

• Will portrays this as his “dream job”:
  "This is always a job that I circled as a place that I would love to coach and would crawl back to."
  — Will Stein [09:33]

NIL and Institutional Support

• Confident in Kentucky’s infrastructure for NIL, credits Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart and Mark (likely Mark Hill, football operations).
• Announces intent to hire a GM with Oregon roots and NIL expertise.
• Emphasizes that success isn’t always about being the highest bidder; stresses relationships, development, and preparing players for the NFL.

Quote:
"It’s not about paying the most for players... At Oregon, we were sometimes the third, the fourth highest bidder ... They came out there because they wanted to get developed ... That is what we’re going to do here."
— Will Stein [10:22]

Parity in Modern College Football

• Notes increased parity thanks to NIL and transfer portal; more opportunities for programs like Kentucky to compete at a high level.
• Intends to prioritize in-state recruiting, especially beating Louisville for local talent, and then expand nationally if the fit is right.

Quote:
"There’s more parity in college football now than there ever has been. ... Great players all over. It’s our job to keep these guys home, to build it through the state of Kentucky."
— Will Stein [12:01]

Building the Program: Confidence, Staff, and Culture

On Confidence

• When asked about his self-belief, Will highlights his record and work ethic.
  "I've won at the highest level as a coordinator. ... You got to believe in yourself. Why not believe in yourself? I've been bet against for a long time, but I've proved those people wrong." [12:56]

Recruiting Philosophy

• Focus is on in-state talent, but remains aggressive in adjacent territories (Ohio, Midwest, South).
• Says he'll go anywhere if the fit is right, even "damn Alaska".

Rivalry with Louisville

• Good-natured but competitive about the Louisville rivalry, acknowledging Jeff Brohm (Louisville’s coach) as a mentor and friend but asserts,
  "It is my job to out recruit him and to beat him every single time we play." [14:49]

• Hosts tease about the “L’s Down” gesture, Will says:
  "Like it is what it is, man. I’m the head coach of the University of Kentucky ... The key is, man, winning with class, losing with class, and being a great representation of the state of Kentucky." [15:34]

Strengths, Weaknesses, and Priorities

• Praises Kentucky’s facilities and administrative alignment — "Everybody wants to win... That’s what gives me great confidence."
• Prioritizes hiring quality coordinators and staff, says he’ll take time to find the “right fit” for Kentucky.
• Defensive philosophy: Seeks aggressive, energetic defense that forces turnovers—does not want “bend don’t break”. Looking for effort, ball excellence, and unit cohesion.

Quote:
"I'm not a bend, don't break guy. ... I like when teams pressure me ... that's when I'm like, okay, this guy's aggressive."
— Will Stein [18:32]

Personal & Cultural Touches

Family Ties and Louisville Roots

• Playful discussion about the “Trinity mafia” (his high school ties), and family bakery (Sissy Cakes), which saw a surge in orders after his hiring.
• Reflects on how everyone in Louisville knows each other, showing a strong sense of local identity.

Marketing and Fan Experience

• Matt Jones asks if Stein will bring Oregon’s marketing savvy to UK. Will is open to improving fan experience and is nostalgic for classic UK traditions.
• “Anything that Mitch and I and the president ... believe needs work, we’ll look at it. ... It’s whatever it takes to win football games, whatever it takes to give Big Blue Nation the best experience on Saturdays.” [21:51]

Hosts’ Reactions and Listener Call-ins

Impressions of Will Stein

• Hosts note Stein’s authentic enthusiasm: "He loves it. Grew up loving the Cats. And you can just hear it in his voice." — [23:02]
• Appreciate his aggressive defensive philosophy and openness, with a partial commitment to “L’s Down”.

QB Situation Analysis

• Hosts analyze Stein’s answer about Cutter, sensing competition will be brought in and noting that Stein is non-committal but positive about the current roster.
• “If you’re going to have to bake the cake, you should get to pick the ingredients.” — [27:16]

Kentucky Basketball Discussion

Fan Frustration and Team Struggles

• Listeners and hosts pivot to bemoaning the men’s basketball team’s woes: lack of a true point guard, poor chemistry and shooting, and disappointing performances.
• Calls for internal improvement, noting skepticism about current roster construction and development.

Random Highlights and Quotables

• Hosts joke about legendary local sports personalities’ press conference attire (esp. Alan Cutler).
• Playful banter about fandom, Kentucky traditions, and anticipated busy sports weekend (volleyball, women’s basketball, high school championships).

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• "It's aggressive, it's multiple ... built around the quarterback." — Will Stein [05:15]
• "The common thing about all those guys is they work. They work their ass off... That’s what makes them special." — Will Stein [07:23]
• "If you’re going to have to bake the cake, you should get to pick the ingredients." — Matt Jones [27:16]
• "I'm not a bend, don't break guy... When teams pressure me, that's when I'm like, okay, this guy's aggressive." — Will Stein [18:32]
• “It is my job to out recruit [Jeff Brohm] and to beat him every single time we play.” — Will Stein [14:49]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:42] — Will Stein joins KSR
• [05:15] — Offensive philosophy explained
• [07:52] — Quarterback competition and spring practice plans
• [10:22] — NIL and recruiting approach
• [12:01] — Parity and Kentucky’s opportunity in the modern game
• [14:49] — Louisville rivalry and “L’s Down” discussion
• [18:32] — Defensive philosophy
• [19:54] — Will’s family business (Sissy Cakes) story
• [21:51] — Fan experience and Oregon’s influence

Tone

The tone is lively, candid, occasionally irreverent, and deeply rooted in Kentucky sports culture. Will Stein comes off as upbeat, competitive, and transparent, with the hosts offering genuine conversation, gentle ribbing, and community engagement throughout.

For UK fans, this episode offers a detailed first look at Will Stein’s vision—a blend of modern competitiveness, local roots, and old-school passion for Kentucky football.