Louisville, Ky. (WDRB) — For the first time since the Joker Phillips era, Kentucky is looking for a new football coach. And the world has changed.
The best coaches today understand the world of revenue sharing, roster management and want to leverage them to acquire not only the best talent, but players who fit the type of program – on and off the field – they are trying to build.
Asked Sunday how he turned Indiana into a winner so quickly, Curt Cignetti began with four words: “People and a plan.”
Louisville | Kentucky Indiana | eric crawford
It’s a difficult balance. Cignetti, who has become the gold standard of coaching hires in a short period of time, came to James Madison with a group of players, a coaching staff that had been together for a long time and had a clear plan for what he wanted to do and how to do it, which was demonstrated at multiple levels of the game.
Those coaches don’t grow on trees, and Kentucky is late to the carousel. The ideal pick, Tulane coach John Sumrall, a former UK linebacker and assistant coach, has been hired at Florida.
The best candidates on board may be talented youth coordinators, but their interviews are very important, as they will not be creating their own programs and will likely face a steep learning curve. Energy and a modern approach can make up for it, but it will take more than play-calling to get Kentucky where it wants to be.
Older, established coaches may bring more program-building experience but may not be as adept at roster management in the new college football economy.
Additionally, the pool is likely to change rapidly as coaches take jobs but leave vacancies elsewhere. buckle up.
Below are the four candidates most mentioned in the early rounds for the Kentucky job, though the search will certainly extend well beyond this trio. And a crazy idea that I will come up with.
Will Stein, Oregon offensive coordinator
Age: 36 | Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky
A former Louisville and Trinity High School quarterback who grew up as a Kentucky fan – going to games with his family in section 128 at then-Commonwealth Stadium – Steen is emerging as a serious candidate for the Wildcats’ head coaching position. His parents, both UK alumni, gave him deep roots in the program: his father, Matt, played defensive back under Jerry Claiborne in the 1980s.
Despite not receiving the preferred walk-on offer from Kentucky, Steen found success at Louisville and later went into coaching. After a stint under Charlie Strong at Texas and a bold move into high school play-calling in 2018, Steen’s rise has been rapid. He coordinated UTSA’s 2022 Conference USA title team before joining Oregon in 2023, where he now leads one of the nation’s top offenses. The Ducks are in the top 15 nationally in scoring, rushing and total offense and have won consecutive conference titles under Steen’s guidance.
A respected play caller with a track record of quarterback development, Steen’s offensive pedigree will address Kentucky’s most glaring weakness in recent seasons. However, their Oregon playoff run could complicate the timeline for any potential hire.
Brian Hartline, Ohio State offensive coordinator
Age: 38 | Hometown: Canton, Ohio
A rising star in the coaching world, Hartline has built a national reputation as an elite recruiter and developer of top-tier wide receiver talent at his alma mater, Ohio State. A former NFL wideout and Buckeye standout, Hartline returned to Columbus in 2017 and was promoted to wide receivers coach in 2018. Since then, he has helped Ohio State build the country’s most prolific receiver room and was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2023, taking over play-calling duties in 2025.
This season, Hartline has guided the No. 1 Buckeyes to a 12–0 regular season, leading a top-10 scoring attack powered by second-year quarterback Julian Sain, a top Heisman Trophy contender. Through 12 games, Ohio State ranks 10th nationally in scoring (37.9 ppg) and 25th in passing (270.1 ypg).
Although Hartline has only coached at Ohio State, he has a family connection to Kentucky – his brother Mike Hartline played quarterback at UK and is currently on the Wildcats’ support staff. Hartline, long considered a top target during previous coordinator searches, has now emerged as a potential head coach candidate – someone who can enhance both Kentucky’s offensive strategy and recruiting footprint.
Dan Mullen, UNLV head coach
Age: 53 | Hometown: Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania
A proven offensive mind with deep SEC experience, Mullen has re-emerged as a hot coaching name after leading UNLV to a 10-2 record and a berth in the Mountain West title game in his first season on the sidelines after three seasons as an analyst for ESPN.
Best known for leading Mississippi State from 2009-2017 – including a No. 1 AP ranking in 2014 and eight straight bowl appearances – Mullen went 69-46 at Starkville before taking over at Florida, where he compiled a 34-15 record over four seasons, reached the SEC Championship Game, and won New Year’s Six bowls in the Peach, Orange and Cotton.
Mullen’s tenure at Florida ended amid changes in recruiting expectations, but in the NIL era, his offensive prowess and in-game prowess made him a strong candidate for a power-conference return. This season, UNLV ranks 15th nationally in scoring (36.7 ppg) and 16th in total offense, a testament to Mullen’s ability to quickly engineer success even in traditionally difficult jobs.
Neal Brown, special assistant to the Texas head coach
Age: 45 | Hometown: Danville, Kentucky
A native of Kentucky and former UK offensive coordinator, Brown has deep ties to the Commonwealth as well as head coaching experience at both the Group of Five and Power Four levels. After growing up in Danville and starting his playing career at Kentucky, Brown became the youngest offensive coordinator in FBS at Troy in 2008 and later returned to Lexington to run the offense under Stoops from 2013–14.
As head coach, Brown went 35-16 at Troy, including three 10-win seasons and an upset of LSU in 2017, before moving to West Virginia, where he compiled a 37-35 record with four bowl appearances in six seasons. He was let go after the 2024 season and currently serves as a special assistant to Steve Sarkisian at Texas.
Known for his offensive background and steady leadership, Brown could provide Kentucky a homegrown option with head coaching polish and familiarity with the challenges of competing in a power conference. If they are not appointed to the Power Four role, they are also seen as a possible candidate for the upcoming Group of Five inauguration.
Totally offbeat candidate
Dabo Swinney, Clemson head coach
Age: 55 | Hometown: Pelham, Alabama
Yes, that dabo. This suggestion is just an absurd idea. This is not happening. But I’ve always thought there could be some synergy here. Swinney would immediately make the Wildcats a national story. After 16 seasons as Clemson’s head coach – including two national championships (2016 and 2018) and six College Football Playoff appearances – Swinney’s longtime dominance has cooled in recent years, with three of four consecutive losing seasons and public friction over the NIL and the changing landscape of college football.
Still, few in the country bring a track record of consistent excellence, cultural clarity and program-building like Swinney does. His deep Christian faith and “graduated young men” ethos align closely with Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart’s values, and a fresh start in the SEC could be mutually beneficial. Swinney has gone 187–52 at Clemson, becoming the winningest coach in ACC history, and was previously a national champion as a walk-on player at Alabama. He’ll bring people, a plan – and instant credibility.
But, Bill could also bring a Curry-type atmosphere. Again, just a thought.
This list will definitely grow. Check WDRB.com for updates as they happen.
Kentucky football coverage:
Stoops officially out as Kentucky coach, AD Mitch Barnhart announces
Crawford | With walk-ons and will, Brohm buries Kentucky, and maybe Stoops too
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