Kentucky football coach channels Curt Cignetti, delivers SEC Media Days quote everyone will remember

Will Stein breaks down his first courses of action as the Kentcuky head football coach since getting the job.

TAMPA, FL - Will Stein stood at the SEC Media Days podium for the first time as the Kentucky head football coach and essentially pulled a move that would make Curt Cignetti proud.

There have been plenty of times over the past few years when new head coaches would point to tradition, facilities, a fan base or recruiting practices as to why they would have success at their new destination.

A number of those statements usually fall on deaf-ears, knowing the coaches were just going by the playbook that comes when taking over at a new school, or becoming a head coach for the first time.

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Kentucky Wildcats head coach Will Stein speaks at SEC Football Media Day at Tampa Marriott Water Street in Tampa, Fla., on July 20, 2026. (Parker S. Freedman/Getty Images)

At Kentucky, the football program had plateaued under Mark Stoops. There needed to be a sense of hunger once again in Lexington, and former Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein was the man for the job.

Given his long history with Kentucky, the fit works with Stein. He bleeds blue, and there is enough excitement in Lexington within the athletic department and fan base for him to have the support needed to find success, whatever that may be over the next few years.

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But, we're seen Kentucky have success before, though it's been a few years since they've garnered headlines.

On Monday in Tampa, Will Stein made sure to add fire to that excitement within the Wildcats