Will Stein makes his head coaching debut for Kentucky against Youngstown State
6 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 5, 2026, 8:12 PM
Last updated Sep 5, 2026
Kentucky football begins a new era this Saturday as 36-year-old head coach Will Stein leads the team against Youngstown State. Stein takes over the program following a 13-year tenure by former coach Mark Stoops. The Wildcats enter the season with high expectations after bringing in quarterback Kenny Minchey and several offensive contributors including CJ Baxter and Shane Carr. Their opponent, Youngstown State, enters the matchup ranked seventh in the FCS after a 43-10 win over Mercyhurst last Thursday. Penguins quarterback Beau Brungard, the reigning Walter Payton FCS Player of the Year, leads the visiting offense. The game marks the start of the season for Kentucky as they look to implement an offensive-focused strategy under their new staff.
- •Will Stein makes his debut as head coach for Kentucky this Saturday.
- •Youngstown State enters the game ranked seventh in the FCS.
- •Youngstown State defeated Mercyhurst 43-10 in their season opener.
- •Kenny Minchey starts at quarterback for Kentucky.
- 9:30 PMYahoo Sports — Kentucky Wins Will Stein’s Debut
- 8:12 PMYahoo Sports — Kentucky Football dominates Youngstown State: 4 things to know and postgame cheers
- 8:12 PMYahoo Sports — Will Stein, Kentucky dominate Youngstown State in historic debut
- 7:11 PMYahoo Sports — Will Stein's offense off to historic start in Kentucky football debut
- 5:51 PMYahoo Sports — Kentucky opens Will Stein era with bang, scores TDs on first 3 drives
- 9:11 AMYahoo Sports — How Kentucky football coaches have fared in debut, from Bear to Stoops
- 5:00 PMYahoo Sports — The Will Stein Era Begins Saturday; Kentucky vs Youngstown State Preview
"The Will Stein Era Begins Saturday It's a new day for Kentucky football as Will Stein takes over as the Wildcats' head coach. He, of course, replaces Mark Stoops, the school's all-time winningest coach, after 13 years. Kentucky goes from having the elder statesman of SEC coaches to the youngest in Stein. The 36-year-old spent the …
"Saturday marked the beginning of a new era for Kentucky football. Will Stein took over for Mark Stoops, who was fired after 13 years. The Wildcats went from having the SEC's elder statesman of coaches to the league's youngest head man. In a "White Out" day at Kroger Field, the Cats came out almost as hot …
"With Will Stein set to make his debut, we took a look out how past Kentucky Wildcats coaches from Mark Stoops to Bear Bryant fared in their UK debuts.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 5, 2026, 9:30 PMKentucky Wins Will Stein’s Debut
Saturday marked the beginning of a new era for Kentucky football. Will Stein took over for Mark Stoops, who was fired after 13 years. The Wildcats went from having the SEC's elder statesman of coaches to the league's youngest head man. In a "White Out" day at Kroger Field, the Cats came out almost as hot …
- Yahoo SportsSep 5, 2026, 8:12 PMKentucky Football dominates Youngstown State: 4 things to know and postgame cheers
The Will Stein era is off to a fast start.
- Yahoo SportsSep 5, 2026, 8:12 PMWill Stein, Kentucky dominate Youngstown State in historic debut
Kentucky's Kenny Minchey threw four touchdown passes as Will Stein's offense rolled in their debut win over Youngstown State.
- Yahoo SportsSep 5, 2026, 7:11 PMWill Stein's offense off to historic start in Kentucky football debut
Will Stein became just the third Kentucky football coach in the SEC era to score 30 or more points in his debut game.
- Yahoo SportsSep 5, 2026, 5:51 PMKentucky opens Will Stein era with bang, scores TDs on first 3 drives
Kentucky scored three touchdowns on the first three drives of the Will Stein era. Last season, the Cats scored TDs on their first two drives twice.
- Yahoo SportsSep 4, 2026, 9:11 AMHow Kentucky football coaches have fared in debut, from Bear to Stoops
With Will Stein set to make his debut, we took a look out how past Kentucky Wildcats coaches from Mark Stoops to Bear Bryant fared in their UK debuts.
- Yahoo SportsSep 3, 2026, 5:00 PMThe Will Stein Era Begins Saturday; Kentucky vs Youngstown State Preview
The Will Stein Era Begins Saturday It's a new day for Kentucky football as Will Stein takes over as the Wildcats' head coach. He, of course, replaces Mark Stoops, the school's all-time winningest coach, after 13 years. Kentucky goes from having the elder statesman of SEC coaches to the youngest in Stein. The 36-year-old spent the …
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