LEXINGTON — The search is officially underway for the next leader of Kentucky football.
Mark Stoops was dismissed Sunday night after 13 seasons in Lexington, ending the most successful tenure in school history. Now, UK must identify a coach capable of navigating the brutal landscape of the SEC — a challenge that has overwhelmed many programs with far more resources than Kentucky.
Historically, the Wildcats are one of only three SEC programs with a losing all-time record (along with Mississippi State and Vanderbilt), but Stoops proved that sustained success is possible. Kentucky now seeks a coach who can replicate, and potentially elevate, that foundation.
Two early targets are already off the board. Jon Sumrall, a former UK linebacker and assistant coach, accepted the Florida job Sunday afternoon. South Florida’s Alex Golesh was hired by Auburn the same day. With both unavailable, here are five realistic candidates who could emerge as contenders in Kentucky’s search:
The fan-favorite
With Sumrall unavailable, Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein immediately becomes the name most Kentucky fans are talking about. Stein has engineered one of the nation’s most explosive offenses in Eugene, finishing top-five nationally in both scoring and yardage in his first season and keeping the Ducks near the top again in 2024 and 2025.
Stein also has deep Bluegrass State ties. He played quarterback at Trinity High School and at Louisville, and both of his parents attended UK — his father even walked on for the Wildcats. Despite coaching out West, Stein remains connected to Kentucky and is viewed as a potential home-run hire.
The question is whether the rising star is ready to leave Oregon, a program firmly positioned as a national power.
A program connection
Ohio State’s Brian Hartline is widely regarded as one of the best recruiters in college football. His list of five-star wide receiver signees is unmatched, and he has been increasingly involved in play-calling for the Buckeyes.
Hartline’s UK connection comes through his younger brother, former Wildcats quarterback Mike Hartline, who returned to Lexington this year as an offensive quality-control assistant. However, landing Hartline would be difficult. He is coaching at his alma mater, has never worked elsewhere, and enjoys nearly unlimited resources at Ohio State — conditions Kentucky cannot fully match.
Still, his name will surface as UK explores all options.
The Group of Five star
Bob Chesney may not have national name recognition, but his résumé speaks for itself. In 16 seasons across four levels of college football — Division III, Division II, FCS, and now FBS — Chesney has posted only one losing season. He has never had a losing conference record.
Now in his second season at James Madison, Chesney has the Dukes rolling. JMU is 11-1, undefeated in the Sun Belt, and in the hunt for a berth in the College Football Playoff as the Group of Five representative. His consistent winning and rapid program-building make him one of the most intriguing candidates outside the Power Five.
Former JMU coach Curt Cignetti’s early success at Indiana only strengthens Chesney’s case as a coach ready for the SEC leap.
A former SEC head coach back in the game
Dan Mullen brings something no other candidate on this list has: proven success as a head coach in the SEC. He spent nine seasons at Mississippi State — one of the hardest jobs in the country — and lifted the Bulldogs to the No. 1 ranking in 2014. He later won nearly 70% of his games at Florida.
After stepping away from coaching for media work, Mullen returned this season at UNLV and has guided the Rebels to a 10-2 record and a spot in the Mountain West title game. His creativity, quarterback development, and deep SEC experience could make him one of the safest, most prepared options for Kentucky.
The Wildcats may not be the easiest job on the board, but Mullen’s familiarity with SEC competition makes him a strong match.
The rising SEC defensive mind
If Kentucky wants to mirror the Stoops model — hiring an elite defensive coordinator looking for his first head-coaching opportunity — Georgia’s Glenn Schumann fits perfectly.
Schumann has spent his entire career learning under Nick Saban and Kirby Smart, contributing to six national championships between Alabama and Georgia. Since being named Georgia’s co-defensive coordinator in 2019, the Bulldogs have consistently ranked among the nation’s best defensive units.
At just 35, Schumann is considered one of the fastest-rising coaches in the sport. His lack of head-coaching experience could be a drawback, but the same was true for Stoops — and that hire transformed the program.
The biggest obstacle may be convincing Schumann to leave Georgia, which has become the SEC’s premier powerhouse.
UK Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart has said the department is committed to fully funding NIL, revenue-sharing, and facility improvements — key factors in attracting a top-tier coach.
With the early signing period approaching and the transfer portal heating up, Kentucky is expected to move quickly. A hire could come within days as the Wildcats prepare for a pivotal offseason and a new era of Kentucky football.
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