Oregon Makes Controversial Coaching Decision for College ...

By Jordan SiglerShareNewsweek is a Trust Project member

No. 6 Oregon completed the regular season with a 26-14 win over Washington on the road on Saturday to finish with an 11-1 record.

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The Ducks will miss the Big Ten championship after losing their only game of the season to then-No. 7 Indiana 30-20 on Oct. 11. Oregon should be a lock to host a home game at Autzen Stadium for the first round of the CFP.

Oregon's success has led to interest from other programs for head coaching opportunities.

On Monday, ESPN's Pete Thamel broke the news that Ducks offensive coordinator Will Stein is set to become the next head coach of Kentucky after the Wildcats fired Mark Stoops.

College football head coach Dan Lanning of the Oregon Ducks

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"Sources: Oregon OC Will Stein is the target to be the next coach at Kentucky and the sides working toward a deal," Thamel posted on X. "He’s a Kentucky native who has emerged as one of the country’s top offensive coordinators and play callers."

With the Ducks set to make the CFP, the program decided to retain Stein through the postseason.

"Per a source, Stein is expected to call Oregon’s offense throughout the College Football Playoff," Thamel posted. "He’ll juggle both jobs until the Oregon season ends."

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Each school has to make a decision about what to do with coaches who take a new job amid the CFP.

Ole Miss refused to let Lane Kiffin coach the Rebels when he took the LSU job. North Texas plans to let Eric Morris coach the Mean Green if they make the playoffs despite Morris leaving for Oklahoma State in 2026.

There is a fear that Stein will have a hard time juggling both duties at Kentucky and Oregon. The Ducks hope Stein won't hurt their recruiting efforts for 2026 or poach players.

Some fans on social media voiced potential concerns about the controversial decision.

"I don't know how he can do both jobs well. I guess we'll see," wrote a fan.

"Expect a lot of corruption. Surprised the Oregon AD is O.K. with this. And poaching will be inevitable," posted another.

"Huge respect to Will Stein for finishing what he started at Oregon, especially through the CFP," wrote a fan who thinks the decision is best for the Ducks. "That kind of dedication to his current players is rare in the coaching carousel. Oregon gets to keep their elite play-caller for the biggest games, and Kentucky knows they hired a coach who finishes the job."

Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi is another coach who could be on the move soon. He's been heavily connected to the California gig in recent days.

For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports.

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