How much does Will Stein make as Kentucky football coach? Salary, term
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Will Stein signed a five-year deal, starting with a $5.5 million annual salary, to become the next Kentucky football coach, according to a copy of his contract obtained Monday by The Courier Journal via records request.
A number of performance-based incentives are also baked into Stein's deal. These payments are capped, as the maximum bonus money available in any season of the contract is $2.15 million.
Here's everything you need to know about Stein's contract with UK, including term duration, benefits package and more:
Kentucky football coach Will Stein's salary, contract term and details
Stein's deal with UK is effective Dec. 2, 2025.
Stein's first-year salary begins at $5.5 million and runs through Jan. 31, 2027.
On Feb. 1, 2027, Stein's salary increases to $5.6 million. Every Feb. 1 after that, it continues to increase by $100,000. He'll make $5.7 million for the 2028 season, $5.8 in 2029 and $5.9 million during the 2030 campaign.
Though the contract didn't list an exact dollar figure for his assistant coaches and support staff, the agreement states "such amount shall be set at a level commensurate with high-level SEC football programs."
What was Will Stein's contract at Oregon?
Stein signed a contract extension with Oregon on March 7. His official title was assistant coach/offensive coordinator.
The contract term ran from Feb. 1, 2025 to Jan. 31, 2028. He had a guaranteed salary of $1.75 million per year. In terminating his agreement early, Stein owes Oregon 50% of his remaining guaranteed salary, per his contract.
While at Oregon, Stein was eligible for the following earn performance-based bonuses, which were cumulative, meaning he could make up to $1.905 million in one contract year:
- Qualify for Big Ten Championship Game: $10,000
- Win Big Ten Championship Game: $20,000
- Compete in CFP (College Football Playoff) First Round Game: $15,000
- Compete in CFP Quarterfinals Game: $15,000
- Compete in CFP Semi-Finals Game: $20,000
- Compete in CFP National Championship Game: $25,000
- Win CFP National Championship Game: $50,000
- Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 985 or greater: $5,000
Regardless of how Oregon performs this postseason, Stein will not receive any CFP- or academics-based bonuses, as he will not be employed with the team when those game are played or APR rates are determined.
Stein's benefits package at Oregon included group life insurance, medical, dental and vision insurance; paid vacation (up to 260 hours could be accrued) and sick leave; disability insurance; retirement; and "opportunities to invest in tax deferred annuities anddeferred compensation plans."
Oregon would also pay for Stein's wife Darby to travel to one regular season away game and bowl games, possibly more and the same for their children Joey and Demi if approved by the athletics director. The school would provide Stein with a membership to the Eugene Country Club if available as well "to assist in fund-raising efforts," and one "courtesy car" or $300 monthly stipend.
Additionally, Stein would receive six tickets to football home games and two tickets to every other Oregon sporting event played at home. He also was eligible to receive a "Nike Elite allowance at the discretion of the athletic director," and to earn outside income, though he had to provide "a detailed accounting in writing of all income and benefits from all sources outside University."
How does Stein's deal with Kentucky football compare to Mark Stoops'?
Between signing with UK in November 2012 and the end of the 2025 season, Stoops became one of college football's highest-paid employees. He ranks No. 13 in the nation, according to the USA TODAY coaches salary database, and No. 8 in the SEC (behind Georgia's Kirby Smart, Texas' Steve Sarkisian, Alabama's Kalen DeBoer, former LSU coach Brian Kelly, Ole Miss' Lane Kiffin, Missouri's Eli Drinkwitz and Tennessee's Josh Heupel). Stoops receives $9 million annually from Kentucky, with $400,000 attributed to his base salary and the other $8.6 million coming from his participation in media programs and endorsements.
Bonuses built into his contract included:
- $100,000 for bowl game participation;
- $50,000 for winning SEC Coach of the Year;
- $100,000 for winning National Coach of the Year;
- $250,000 for every win beginning with the ninth (a CFP first-round bye would count as a win);
- $100,000 for playing in the SEC Championship game, or $200,000 for winning it;
- $300,000 for a CFP First Round Game appearance; or $400,000 for a CFP Quarter-Final appearance; or $500,000 for a CFP Semi-Final Game appearance; or $650,000 for appearing in the CFP National Championship Game; or $800,000 for winning the CFP National Championship;
- Up to $100,000 in any academic year if the team maintains a GPA of at least 2.75 and an additional $50,000 if the team achieves an academic progress rate of 0.975 or higher;
- Two late-model, quality automobiles for his "official and personal use," and "business mileage" reimbursement;
- "Standard" Benefits, including a health plan, life insurance, dental insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, long-term disability;
- Sixteen free tickets regular season stadium football tickets for home games; Subject to athletics director approval, a box of 14 seats; at least four free basketball tickets for every home game;
- A retirement plan where the university contributed 10% of annual base salary, while Stoops contributed 5%;
- Vacation leave, subject to athletics director approval;
- A membership to a local golf and country club of Stoops' choice in addition to a membership at the University Club;
- And up to 30 hours of private aircraft use for personal travel each year, and up to 15 unused hours can accrue and roll over for the next year.
In firing Stoops before the end of his contract term (June 2031), Kentucky would have owed him 75% of his remaining salary (over $37.7 million) within 60 days, according to his contract. But national reports indicate that Stoops' representatives and university counsel are working on an agreement to spread payments out over "a number of years."
This story will be updated.
Reach college sports enterprise reporter Payton Titus at ptitus@gannett.com and follow her on X @petitus25. Subscribe to her "Full-court Press" newsletter here for a behind-the-scenes look at how college sports' biggest stories are impacting Louisville and Kentucky athletics.
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Will Stein Kentucky contract details, new UK football coach salary
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