Will Stein hires former Oregon DL Tony Washington Jr. at Kentucky

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It is pretty easy to get distracted at this time of the year in college football. Some teams have bowl games upcoming, while other are preparing for the College Football Playoff, but everyone is getting ready for the holidays and the festive events and traditions that come along with them.

The Oregon Ducks will face those same challenges like every other team — only they have the added pressure of knowing both of their coordinators will be gone immediately after the season ends. Will Stein, who runs the Ducks’ offense, accepted a job to become the next head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats, and although he’s vowed to remain with the team during the playoff run, he still has one foot in and one foot out.

He still has obligations to the Wildcats — like building out a staff — and he got a jump on it earlier today when Tony Washington Jr. was hired as the defensive end and outside linebackers coach. Washington is a former Oregon player who has spent time on the Ducks' staff.

The well-traveled coach is making his way up from Ohio State, where he worked as an assistant on the defensive line. Washington Jr. has spent time at a number of other top-tier schools as well, including here at Oregon, so he has acquired knowledge from some of the best and brightest coaches in the country.

Stein has done a fantastic job bringing a group of young, inexperienced players together at important skill positions with the Ducks and he is off to a great start with his staff in Kentucky. It’s going to sting to lose him at the conclusion of the playoffs, but I’m sure everyone in the building would express their happiness and pride in him winning the job.

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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Kentucky HC Will Stein builds staff during Oregon Ducks CFP run

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