Introduction
Will Stein — once a walk-on quarterback from Louisville, Kentucky — has rapidly built one of the most impressive coaching résumés in college football. His journey from high-school stardom to calling plays for a top-tier program is a testament to perseverance, grit, and football intellect. In this article, we explore his early life, high school and college days, coaching career, personal life, and what we know (and don’t know) about his beliefs and background.
Early Life & Kentucky Roots
Will Stein was born on September 25, 1989, in Louisville, Kentucky.
He grew up in a family that balanced humility and ambition: his parents, Debbie and Matt Stein, both had ties to Kentucky athletics.
Although his family had connections to Kentucky, Will charted his own course — initially walking on at his hometown university despite the competitive athletic climate. His early years in Louisville laid the foundation for his tough-minded, workmanlike approach to football.
High School Stardom: Trinity High School, Louisville
Stein attended Trinity High School in Louisville, where he starred as a quarterback.
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At Trinity, he led the school to multiple state championships — a testament to his leadership and talent.
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In one standout season, he threw for 3,697 yards and a school-record 54 touchdowns.
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He earned honors such as Kentucky Football Coaches Association District Player of the Year, was selected for the EAST-WEST All-State game (earning MVP for the East squad), and picked as third-team All-State by The Courier-Journal.
His high school career didn’t just put up numbers — it displayed consistency, leadership, and resilience. For someone so accomplished in high school, walking on in college showed both humility and ambition.
College Career: From Walk-On to Louisville Quarterback
After high school, Stein joined University of Louisville as a walk-on in 2008.
He eventually earned a scholarship and worked his way up. His college stats are modest but respectable: over his Louisville career (2009–2012), he completed 104 of 176 passes for 1,142 yards and 6 touchdowns, while rushing when necessary.
In 2011, he earned the starting job and showed promise — but a shoulder injury in the game against Kentucky derailed his season. That opened the door for a true freshman arrival, who would go on to become a first-round NFL pick.
Although his college playing career didn’t reach the heights he might have hoped for, Stein emerged with traits beyond stats: leadership, football IQ, resilience, and an ability to understand the game deeply — qualities that would prove essential for his coaching journey.
Education & Transition to Coaching
Stein graduated from Louisville in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in Sport Administration. He later earned a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) in 2014.
Rather than walk away from football, Stein chose to stay in the game — but this time as a coach. In 2013, he began his coaching career at Louisville as a graduate assistant (GA), working with quarterbacks. The next year, he moved into an offensive quality control role focusing on wide receivers.
That transition from player to coach highlighted Stein’s willingness to grind, learn from the ground up, and lean into roles that demanded patience, study, and attention to detail.
Coaching Career: The Rise of an Offensive Mind
Will Stein’s coaching journey is a steady climb marked by adaptability, success at multiple levels, and a growing reputation as a creative offensive mind. Here’s a breakdown of his path:
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2015–2017 — University of Texas at Austin (Texas): Quality control coach (wide receivers), later working quarterbacks.
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2018–2019 — Lake Travis High School (Austin, Texas): Assistant Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator & Quarterbacks Coach. Under his guidance, the team posted a combined record of 26–4 with consecutive state-semifinal appearances.
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2020–2021 — University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA): Passing Game Coordinator / Wide Receivers Coach.
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2022 — UTSA: Promoted to Co-Offensive Coordinator & Quarterbacks Coach. His offense ranked in the top 10 nationally in total offense, scoring offense, and passing offense.
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December 2022–Present — University of Oregon (Oregon Ducks): Offensive Coordinator & Quarterbacks Coach.
Coaching Philosophy & Success
Stein’s coaching style emphasizes common-sense football — smart, efficient, and tailored to his players’ strengths. His offenses often use motion, shifts, quick reads, play-action, and spacing to maximize playmaker ability.
Under his guidance:
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At UTSA in 2022, offense ranked No. 9 nationally in total offense (486.1 YPG) and No. 12 in scoring offense (38.7 PPG).
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At Oregon, his offenses have consistently ranked among the nation’s best — producing explosive plays, high scoring, and elite quarterback development.
Colleagues describe Stein as a tireless worker, a bright offensive mind, and a coach who “tries to score” — not satisfied with slow, conservative football.
Many now speculate Stein could be a head-coach candidate in the near future. Given his trajectory, it seems only a matter of time.
Personal Life: Family, Wife, and Beyond
Stein is married to his wife, Darby Stein. Their family recently expanded with the birth of their son, Joey — as noted during his hiring announcement at Oregon.
His family has roots in Louisville beyond football. His mother and aunt run a bakery — SissyCakes — which has occasionally been referenced during game broadcasts, especially when Oregon fans and analysts discover the “sweet side” of Stein’s Kentucky roots.
This playful intersection of football and family business — from playbooks to bundt cakes — adds a human, relatable dimension to Stein’s high-pressure coaching world.
What We Don’t Know: Religion & Private Beliefs
Despite the wealth of public information on Stein’s athletic and coaching career, his religious beliefs are not publicly documented or verified. Extensive searches of media coverage, staffing bios, and public interviews yield no credible source confirming his faith, religious affiliation, or spiritual background.
As such, any claim about his religion would be speculative and irresponsibly unsubstantiated.
Given his background — Kentucky upbringing, Catholic-heavy school populations, and midwestern U.S. roots — one might hypothesize he grew up in a Christian/catholic environment. However, without direct statements from Stein or reliable reporting, such assumptions remain conjecture.
Why Will Stein’s Story Matters
Will Stein’s journey resonates for several reasons:
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Underdog to Top Play-Caller: From walk-on to leading powerhouse offenses — his path proves that talent + work ethic can overcome early setbacks.
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Blueprint for Modern Offense: His schemes demonstrate how to blend tempo, spacing, and quarterback-friendly reads — a model many teams study.
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Adaptability: Having coached high school, mid-major, and Power-5 levels — Stein’s flexibility and growth mindset stand out.
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Balance of Personal & Professional: Despite the pressure of high-level college football, Stein seems grounded thanks to family values and humility — a quality often overshadowed in big-time athletics.
In a sport where overnight success stories are rare and coaching reputations can shift quickly, Stein represents a compelling blend of consistency, intelligence, and authenticity.
FAQs
Q: Where is Will Stein from?
A: Will Stein was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky.
Q: What high school did Will Stein attend?
A: He attended Trinity High School in Louisville, where he excelled as a quarterback.
Q: Did Stein play college football? Where?
A: Yes. Stein played quarterback at the University of Louisville from 2008 to 2012.
Q: Who is Will Stein’s wife?
A: His wife’s name is Darby Stein.
Q: What is known about his religion?
A: There is no public record or dependable source confirming his religion or spiritual beliefs.
Q: What is Will Stein doing now (as of 2025)?
A: As of 2025, he is the Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach at the University of Oregon, known for one of the nation’s most explosive offenses.
Conclusion
Will Stein’s journey — from a Kentucky-born high school phenom to a rising star in college football coaching — is as much about character as it is about X’s and O’s. His resilience, humility, intelligence, and willingness to grind have helped him carve a path few do, and many aspire to.
Whether or not Stein ever becomes a head coach, his story already offers valuable lessons: success isn’t just about talent — it’s about perseverance, adaptability, and staying true to one’s roots.
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