Will Stein explains meaning of staying with Oregon Ducks during CFP
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It was just a matter of time before the OregonDucks‘ offensive coordinator was tabbed to run his own program and that time is now.
Well, maybe not right now, but eventually.
Will Stein was hired to be the Kentucky Wildcats next coach for the 2026 season, but he’s not leaving Oregon right away. It was important for Stein to stay in Eugene and finish this season out with the Ducks for what they hope is a long playoff run.
“I wouldn’t be in the position I am without these players, without these coaches, without Dan (Lanning). I mean, I would feel like a complete fraud if I left these guys throughout this playoff run and this opportunity in front of us, to coach in Autzen another time,” he said.
Leaving the Duck program won’t be easy, according to Stein. But loyalty is a huge trait in his makeup and Stein said it would be wrong to leave now.
“I mean, you’d honestly be crazy, and Tosh (Lupoi) is the same way. I mean, we poured so much of our lives, so much of our time, our family’s time, into this team and this program,” Stein said. “Coach Lanning gave me an opportunity from UT-San Antonio. The last thing I would ever do would be to leave these players.”
Lupoi, Oregon’s defensive coordinator, is also leaving the program to be the head coach at Cal and like Stein, he will stay in Eugene through the playoff.
Lanning has already named successors to both coordinators as Drew Mehringer will run the offensive and Chris Hampton will be on the defensive side. It’s hard to imagine the new coordinators will have as much success as the previous two, but the Ducks have been building quite the coaching tree of late, so they shouldn’t be too worried.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon Ducks’ OC Will Stein says it’s important to see CFP run through
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