Will Stein’s first Kentucky defensive coordinator will reportedly come from a playoff team.

NEW: I caught up with Jeff Traylor, one of Will Stein's biggest mentors. They lived together, and Traylor gave Stein his first college OC job. "Very few people can be as smart as Will and love people the way Will loves them.” www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

NEW: As Will Stein balances his responsibilities between Oregon and Kentucky, here's a closer look at what we know about his first UK staff so far. www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

NEW: It was reported when Mark Stoops was fired he agreed to have his $37 million buyout paid out over years. Here are the specific details of the agreement he reached with UK. "He’s a good man, and he gave a lot to this place." www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

NEW: Here are the details from Will Stein's first UK contract. Salary, bonuses, automatic extension, buyout numbers and more www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

Will Stein says he does not want to call offensive plays as head coach at UK. Now he has an offensive coordinator to do it.

NEW: A deeper look at the issue that set Mitch Barnhart off after the Will Stein intro presser, including some specifics on what NIL deals had been approved by clearinghouse the last time Barnhart addressed Champions Blue Board about it. www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

NEW: It is a risk for UK to hire a 36-year-old, first-team head coach, but it's clear Mitch Barnhart decided this was a program in need of some more risk-taking. On the first impression set by Will Stein. www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

Eli Capilouto opening Will Stein intro press conference with a rousing endorsement and vote of support for UK AD Mitch Barnhart, who has taken a lot of heat recently.

A look at the first hire for Will Stein's UK football staff. kentucky.com/sports/colle...

Florida fans: I talked to Jon Sumrall about Brad White a couple years ago during his first season at Troy. Here is what he said about your new defensive coordinator. www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

NEW: UK has a new coach, but the work is just starting. Here's a look at key dates to know for Will Stein's first month as coach. www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

It's official: Will Stein is Kentucky's new football coach. www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

NEW: Multiple reports that UK is finalizing a deal with Oregon OC Will Stein to replace Mark Stoops. I'm told plans for his arrival are already underway in Lexington. www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

NEW: UK has canceled the previously scheduled athletics committee meeting for this afternoon and has no plans for a news conference today to address Mark Stoops firing. Read into that what you will about timing of a possible head coaching hire. www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

UK President Eli Capilouto: "It is critically important that we are competitive and successful in football." www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

Would expect official word on Mark Stoops very shortly with team/staff meeting wrapping up.

This Herald-Leader story is 14 years old, but seems relevant tonight. On Will Stein's childhood allegiance to UK and his family ties to the program. www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

NEW: So, who's next? Jon Sumrall and a bunch of other candidates that would have made sense went off the board today. Here are eight names to consider. www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

Florida confirms the hire of former UK LB and assistant coach Jon Sumrall as its new coach. That means if Kentucky does make a coaching change the logical top target is already off the board. Sumrall will play his alma mater in Lexington next season. UK and Florida are annual opponents now.

While we wait for any news on Mark Stoops' status, here's a look at where the UK football roster stands entering the offseason. Whoever the coach is next year has work to do to lock down the young nucleus and fill several holes. www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

NEW: If there is a coaching change for UK football, it will not be because Mark Stoops walked away. Quick story on his postgame comments here. www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

Injured UK CBs DJ Waller and Terhyon Nichols and LB Alex Afari are participating in warmups before the Governors' Cup game. Of course, DJ Waller's injury saga has taught us participating in warmups does not necessarily mean injured players will make it to the game healthy.

NEW: Kentucky's 2026 recruiting class is ranked about 40 spots lower than most of Mark Stoops' previous classes. But UK's coach says we shouldn't make much of that ranking. Here's why. www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

NEW: Mark Stoops dismissed the idea of added motivation for UK because of Vince Marrow's defection to Louisville. But Marrow himself was never shy about creating rivalry headlines. Here's a look at some of his greatest hits about his new employer. www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

NEW: How much does the Governor's Cup actually mean for Mark Stoops' status at UK? That and more in the final Monday UK football mailbag of the season. www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

What UK football questions, comments and takeaways do you have before the Governor’s Cup rivalry? I’ll use them for the final Monday mailbag of the season.

NEW: UK has trailed by 40 in a game just five times in Mark Stoops tenure. The others were Alabama, Georgia and Florida. Losing to Vanderbilt like that feels different. This might be the most worrying development for Stoops yet. www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

So, that happened. What are your questions, comments, takeaways from Kentucky's 45-17 loss at Vanderbilt? I'll use them for the last Monday UK football mailbag of the season.

Press box discussion: Is what Diego Pavia did today (32 for 38 for 469 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT, 15 carries, 48 yards, 1 TD) or Peyton Manning's 1997 game (25 for 35, 523 yards, 5 TD) the best single-game performance vs. UK? Any other game that should be in the discussion?

Kentucky is 0-47 when trailing by more than 14 at any point in a game in the Mark Stoops era. Cats down 17-0 to Vanderbilt with 4:35 left in the first half.

UK will have to slow Diego Pavia and Vanderbilt without three of its top four cornerbacks today. Two other defensive starters are listed as game-time decisions www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

NEW: Five games ago Kentucky football's offense looked hopeless, but schematic shifts, more aggressive play-calling and Cutter Boley's breakout have given the Wildcats life. A deeper look at the changes that turned around the season. www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

NEW: Vanderbilt's success this season has led to plenty of questions about why Kentucky couldn't have a similar run. The answer might be Mark Stoops already did. Or it might be proof of how UK still has to adapt to new landscape. www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

NEW: Twice DJ Waller has looked on the verge of a return only to suffer a setback before a game. Now, one of his replacements is considering a redshirt. Another is still hurt. So, how does UK manage the CB rotation for two games with bowl eligibility on the line? www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

NEW: Another blowout win has more submissions in the weekly UK football mailbag wondering about a future with Mark Stoops as coach in 2026. What's the effect on recruiting? What does the QB depth chart look like moving forward? www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

Kentucky took care of business against Tennessee Tech and now needs just one win for a bowl. What are you questions, comments, takeaways from the game? I’ll use them for the Monday UK football mailbag.

NEW: Cutter Boley’s TD run might not have been the wisest choice, but it cemented his status as the face of the program. www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

Kentucky took care of business against Tennessee Tech and now needs just one win for a bowl. What are you questions, comments, takeaways from the game? I’ll use them for the Monday UK football mailbag.

Kentucky football down four week one starters on defense today: OLB Sam Greene, ILB Alex Afari, S Jordan Lovett, CB DJ Waller.

NEW: Kentucky will likely be without three normal defensive starters this weekend. Meet the three defenders who will be key in filling those gaps down the stretch if UK is to reach a bowl game. www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

NEW: A bowl game is suddenly in reach for UK football again. Here’s a rundown of the most likely options if the Wildcats get to six wins. bit.ly/4p4ajlB

The H-L crew at the Yum Center will be posting here all night. Follow along: www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

NEW: I asked Mitch Barnhart this morning about the emotion after last two UK football wins, progress from the team and what it means for Mark Stoops' future. www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

The woman, a freshman on the team, was injured while performing during walk-on tryouts despite having an athletic scholarship.

NEW: Kentucky's push for bowl eligibility will happen without two defensive starters. At least one more will likely be out this week too. www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

NEW: For the first time in weeks, there was some real optimism in the questions submitted for this week's UK football mailbag. On what's next for Mark Stoops, roster building and more www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

The consensus last week was the Auburn win was not enough to change opinions about this team. Did the Florida blowout do anything for you? Send me you takeaways and questions for the Monday mailbag.

NEW: On the first day of spring practice with pads Brad White talked about the importance of UK proving it could respond to adversity better than last season. Eight months later we know they fixed the problem. bit.ly/48aypo7

Kentucky is two wins from bowl eligibility, just recorded its biggest win over Florida in 75 years. Hit me with your questions, comments, takeaways. I'll use them for the Monday mailbag.