Key Highlights
- In 2024, its eight-year streak of bowl berths ended with a 4-8 (1-7 SEC) campaign.
- Though the Wildcats improved by one game this fall (5-6 overall, 2-6 in league play), it wasn't enough to punch a postseason ticket.
- And they couldn't have ended on a worse note: They were outscored in their final two games — road losses to Vanderbilt and Louisville, respectively — by a ratio greater than 5 to 1 (85 points for the Commodores and Cardinals to just 17 for the Cats). The Wildcats hope Stein ensures bowl trips are back on an annual basis.
- But the fan base yearns for more: Working into College Football Playoff contention, much like football also-rans Indiana and Vandy have done in 2025. With all that in mind, here are two pros, and cons, of Stein's hire:Pro: Will Stein is an offensive savantOregon offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Will Stein throws during practice with the Oregon Ducks Saturday, April 6, 2024 at the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex in Eugene, Ore. Points weren't easy to come by for Kentucky the past two seasons under offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIn 18 games versus power-conference competition — 16 SEC contests, plus two Governor's Cup matchups versus Louisville — during that span, UK's offense scored more than two touchdowns just two times (Tennessee and Florida this fall).
- The Wildcats never reached that threshold in 2024.