ESPN gives Kentucky an A- grade for Will Stein hire

[Matt Dillon]

The offseason report card is in, and Kentucky football finished as an honors student.

On Friday, ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg and Jake Trotter dished out grades for 16 of the most notable recent coaching changes in all of college football. This cycle brought some of the wildest coaching searches we’ve seen in the sport, including one that just wrapped up a couple of days ago when Michigan hired Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham as Sherrone Moore’s replacement.

ESPN gave the Wolverines a B+ for that move. Spoiler: Kentucky’s hiring of Will Stein received a better grade.

ESPN gives Kentucky an A- grade for Will Stein hire

[Matt Dillon]

On a related note, while I tend not to get very excited about recruiting news until they sign on the dotted line, the staff is hitting the ground running. They're offering some very high-profile recruits and are recruiting Ky. hard again.

[Pete Hogwallop]

Seems like twice a day, they announce new assistant coaches. Are we going to have a coach for every player?

[Matt Dillon]

Seems like twice a day, they announce new assistant coaches. Are we going to have a coach for every player?

Here's the latest one. I hope we have some money left for player salaries.
Kentucky set to hire Chad Wilt as a linebackers coach - On3

[CATHYnKY]

Very encouraging. Now, if they don’t mess with tailgating, will be a fun year.

[EKYCat]

Seems like twice a day, they announce new assistant coaches. Are we going to have a coach for every player?

I don't think this is anywhere out of the ordinary. All position groups will have a coach. Some may do double duty like OC/QB coach but I'm not seeing anything that is any different from any other school. I pulled up Oregon's coaching staff and they go as far as having an Inside Linebackers coach.

[Jaxcat]

And some of the announced hires are for consultant positions, IIRC. I believe I read where on-field coaches are maxxed at 11, but there can be numerous consultants.

[Matt Dillon]

And some of the announced hires are for consultant positions, IIRC. I believe I read where on-field coaches are maxxed at 11, but there can be numerous consultants.

It appears coach Stein has hired seven analysts (so far). I wonder how many Stoops had, on staff, his last season or two here?
2026 Kentucky Analysts

• Parker Fleming – Special Teams, Inside Receivers
• Justin Burke – Passing Game, Tight Ends (Unconfirmed)
• Derek Warehime – Run Game
• Ty Holder – Cornerbacks
• Trey Odom – Safeties
• James Gibson – Nickels
• Jack Ray – Special Teams (Unconfirmed)

[Los Gatos]

And some of the announced hires are for consultant positions, IIRC. I believe I read where on-field coaches are maxxed at 11, but there can be numerous consultants.

I believe the on the field restriction rule has been dropped. Looks like the only real difference is coaches can recruit off campus.