The Will Stein period in Lexington has been nothing but optimistic, at least for now. The Wildcats’ new head coach has dominated on the recruiting trail, particularly in the 2027-28 class, providing supporters with plenty of exciting comments and confidence to keep them occupied until fall.
Although it may be simple for the BBN to forget that Stein was recruited amid Oregon’s College Football Playoff run. Stein, the offensive coordinator, remained on with the Ducks to complete out the season after his deal with Kentucky expired; a year that concluded in a devastating 56-22 defeat to the eventual champion Indiana Hoosiers.
The Hoosiers’ defensive coordinator, Bryant Haines, noticed something distinct about the Ducks when the two teams met for the second time that season. According to him, the burden is partially on Stein.
Playing the blame game
Haines was asked in a now-deleted tweet on X why Oregon’s attack (divided into two components based on Haines’ toughness ranking) had its second half considerably lower down the list. His reply was unequivocal:
Oregon 2’s OC was forced away due to a new employment. Coach Stein is outstanding, but he did not have a complete game plan… And their running back squad had been destroyed.
Was Stein distracted as a result of coaching for one school while recruiting for another? Absolutely, yet an opposing coordinator taking a shot at someone for receiving what is essentially his dream position appears to me to be in poor taste.
Not to mention that Stein earned the Kentucky post because to his years of success out west, and the Ducks were not the only institution to be humiliated by the undefeated Hoosiers on their way to a title.
Regardless of whether Haines deleted his message for these or other reasons, the Cats’ new staff, particularly Stein, should pay attention to his position. The crew can pin it to the wall alongside the other nationwide write-offs that Stein has previously assigned since arriving in Lexington.
Although, the majority of them have already been withdrawn, owing to his early recruiting success and overall performance. Don’t tell me how to feel.
In blue and white, you’ll always have opponents approaching you from all sides. Fortunately for Stein, he has the finest following in college athletics backing him. BBN takes care of its own.
