Kentucky Working Toward Deal With New Head Coach as Agree...

By Nelson Espinal

Contributing Sports Reporter

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The Kentucky Wildcats are finalizing a deal to make Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein the program's next head coach, according to a breaking news report from Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger.

Kentucky is coming off recently firing Mark Stoops, who went 9-15 overall over the past two years. Stoops was at the helm for 13 seasons, but the school felt fresh blood was needed at the top and moved to axe its longtime coach.

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Now, they hand the keys over to Stein, who grew up in Louisville and played for the Cardinals, though his family has ties to the Wildcats.

His father was a former Kentucky player, and they also held season tickets for games.

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Stein has been one of the buzziest coaches in college football, leading an explosive Oregon offense that scored 38.2 points per game, ranking 9th in the nation.

He has spent three full seasons with the Ducks as both the coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Per ESPN's Pete Thamel, Stein will coach during the College Football Playoffs for Oregon and call the offense, as he has all season long with quarterback Dante Moore as the signal-caller.

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Oregon is known for recruiting and using explosive players who possess electric speed and elusiveness. Given their track record of developing these kinds of athletes, the program tends to attract such talent easily.

In Kentucky, it will be a whole different ballgame, though offensive players will likely chomp at the bit to be coached by Stein.

Why did Kentucky Fire Stoops?

Kentucky lost to Louisville on Saturday, 41-0, in a blowout that was the final nail in the coffin of Stoops' time at the school.

After the game, Stoops held firm that he was staying and not going anywhere, though Kentucky eventually decided to pay his $36 million buyout within 650 days.

“I’m going to be here, as far as I’m concerned,” Stoops said. “Now I can’t control what decision (is going) to be made. If you’re asking me, I said zero. Zero means zero.”

More news: Florida Making Major Staff Move After Jon Sumrall Hiring

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