Will Stein takes over as head coach at Kentucky in 2026 and leads a major offensive overhaul. Joe Sloan takes over as offensive coordinator, while Notre Dame transfer Kenny Minchey becomes the starting quarterback after attempting 29 career passes at his former school. Kentucky must replace its top two running backs from last season, Seth McGowan and Dante Dowdell, while Texas transfer C.J. Baxter and Oklahoma transfer Jovantae Barnes join the backfield. Both Baxter and Barnes also provide receiving ability out of the backfield. Kentucky returns just two of its top eight receiving producers from last season: Hardley Gilmore and tight end Willie Rodriguez. LSU transfer Nic Anderson and Southern Utah transfer Shane Carr join the receiving corps. The Wildcats feature a rebuilt offensive line that adds three full-time Power Conference starters through the transfer portal. Tennessee transfer Lance Heard and Ohio State transfer Tegra Tshabola each made 13 starts last season, while Baylor transfer Coleton Price made 11.

Kentucky’s defense also changes under Jay Bateman, who takes over as defensive coordinator after previously coaching at Texas A&M. Kentucky returns four of its top eleven tacklers from last season, including leading tackler Ty Bryant, while four of its top five tacklers have departed. Linebacker Grant Godfrey is the only returning top eleven tackler at the position after making two starts last season. The defensive front returns full-time starter Mi’Quise Humphrey-Grace after making 12 starts, while Sam Greene returns after making nine starts. Tavion Gadson also returns as one of Kentucky’s top eleven tacklers, while Purdue transfer Jamarrion Harkless joins the group. The secondary returns Bryant after 12 starts last season, while Terhyon Nichols returns after six starts. Florida transfer Jordan Castell also joins the secondary.

Kentucky enters 2026 with a new coaching staff and considerable offensive turnover, but adds significant Power Conference starting experience along the offensive line. Parker Fleming takes over as special teams coordinator after previously coaching at Oregon. Kentucky returns placekicker Jacob Kauwe and punter Wilson Berry, while Murray State transfer Thomas O’Hara joins the punter group. Ty Bryant also returns with punt-return experience, while Kentucky features a new primary kickoff returner after Kendrick Law’s departure.