Stein Expands Coaching Staff with Oregon Ducks Alumni for Kentucky Wildcats
Will Stein is expanding his coaching staff for the Kentucky Wildcats while also juggling his responsibilities as the head coach in Kentucky and the offensive coordinator for the Oregon Ducks. Several familiar faces from the Ducks' coaching staff are set to join Stein in Kentucky, including Tony Washington Jr., who will coach the defensive ends and outside linebackers for the Wildcats. Washington, a former Oregon linebacker, played in the NFL before returning to Oregon as the director of player development and later as an assistant defensive line coach.
Cutter Leftwich, the current assistant offensive line coach and run game coordinator for the Ducks, is also making the move to Kentucky to join Stein's staff. Leftwich has been instrumental in the success of Oregon's offensive line, which has been a finalist for the Joe Moore Award for three consecutive years. Additionally, Pat Biondo, the director of recruiting strategy at Oregon, will become the first general manager of the Kentucky football program, further expanding the coaching tree from Oregon to Kentucky.
As Stein and defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi prepare to leave Oregon for head coaching positions, other staff members like Leftwich and Biondo are also moving on to new opportunities. Lanning acknowledged the challenges of managing a changing staff during National Signing Day, emphasizing his goal of helping his staff members achieve their career aspirations. With more coaches with Oregon ties potentially joining Stein in Kentucky or Lupoi at California, the Ducks have already named new coordinators to fill the vacancies left by departing staff members.
The coaching carousel in college football continues to turn, with coaches like Stein and Lupoi moving on to head coaching roles and their staff members following suit. Lanning's focus on supporting his staff's career growth reflects the culture of mentorship and development within the Oregon program. As the coaching staff transitions, the Ducks are poised to maintain their competitive edge with new hires and a commitment to excellence in coaching.