Recently named Kentucky Wildcats head coach Will Stein’s contract details have been released, as he’s been signed to a 5-year, $28.5 million contract. The deal begins with a compensation of $5.5 million in Year 1 before increasing $100,000 each year, finishing with a $5.9 million salary in 2030.
Incentives are also included, as Stein will receive up to $2,150,000 annually for things such as College Football Playoff participation, SEC title, win milestones, Coach of the Year awards and team GPA bonuses.
The former Oregon Ducks offensive coordinator will be taking over a program that has won just nine games combined over the last two seasons, leading to the firing of longtime head coach Mark Stoops. The Wildcats’ last 10-win season was in 2021. The program has not claimed an SEC championship since 1976.
BREAKING: Will Stein signs 5-year, $28.5M deal with Kentucky
The former Oregon OC will earn $5.5M in 2026
What about the buyout? DETAILS: https://t.co/mr5tblWJB1pic.twitter.com/DZY2Cdzd0y
— KSR (@KSRonX) December 8, 2025
Stein will have his work cut out for him in walking into a program that hasn’t had sustained success in some time.
What he does have on his side is his offensive prowess and play-calling talents, which led to the Ducks finishing with the ninth-ranked scoring offense in 2025 and finishing as a top-25 unit in all three seasons that Stein coordinated the offense.
Kentucky, meanwhile, ranked 101st in scoring at just 23.0 points per game with lackluster play at the quarterback position. Cutter Boley was the starter for most of the season and finished with 15 touchdown passes to 12 interceptions. It was his redshirt freshman season and his frame (6-foot-5, 220 pounds) is intriguing, yet the road won’t be easy for Stein early on.
But that’s why Stein was hired and is getting paid $5 million in annual average salary — to right the ship.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Will Stein’s contract details released with Kentucky Wildcats
