Kentucky's Stein set to make $28.5M in 5-year deal as new football coach; Stoops owed nearly $37.7M
From left, University of Kentucky president Eli Capilouto new head football coach Will Stein and athletic director Mitch Barnhart pose for photos after an NCAA college football news conference, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025, in Lexington, Ky. Credit: AP/James Crisp
LEXINGTON, Ky. — New Kentucky football coach Will Stein's deal will pay him $28.5 million over five years, while fired coach Mark Stoops will be paid nearly $37.7 million in severance paid out through the 2030-31 contract year.
The school released a term sheet outlining details of Stein's deal and Stoops' separation agreement Monday night.
Stein's deal has $100,000 annual increases in the salary, as well as up to $2.15 million annually in performance incentives. If Kentucky fires Stein without cause, he would receive 70% of the remaining salary, paid monthly over the agreement's remaining term.
Stein had previously worked as Oregon's offensive coordinator.
As for Stoops, he was due to receive more than $3.9 million in a lump sum within 15 days of the Dec. 1 separation. He would then be paid $6.75 million quarterly each year until April 1, 2031. Those payments would not be subject to mitigation, meaning a reduction based on earnings from future employment.
The agreement spreads out the payments over years rather than within 60 days as his contract previously stipulated.
