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Mark Story: Can Will Stein win in Year 1 at Kentucky? These three things could determine that.
By Mark Story, Lexington Herald-Leader at Waco Tribune-Herald
· July 10, 2026
· 1 min read
LEXINGTON, Ky. — The challenge awaiting Will Stein in his first season as Kentucky football coach is steeper than Jellico Mountain. Five Southeastern Conference football teams made the 2025 College Football Playoffs. UK will face three of them — Alabama,…
Key takeaway Five Southeastern Conference football teams made the 2025 College Football Playoffs.
Why this matters in The Waco
The news of Will Stein's first season as Kentucky football coach has implications for local college football fans in Waco , who often keep an eye on neighboring states' teams. Given the competitive landscape of the Southeastern Conference, Stein's performance will be closely watched. The fact that UK will face three teams that made the 2025 College Football Playoffs, including Alabama, sets a high bar for success. For Waco residents who follow college football, Stein's ability to navigate this challenging schedule will be a key storyline to follow. As the season progresses, local fans will be interested to see how Stein's coaching style and strategy play out against top-tier teams, and what this might mean for the future of college football in the region. This storyline may also spark discussions among local sports enthusiasts about the similarities and differences between the Southeastern Conference and the Big 12 Conference, which has a presence in Texas.
About this story
Original reporting by Waco Tribune-Herald . The Waco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Waco Tribune-Herald . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 10, 2026 ·
Source: Waco Tribune-Herald ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? LEXINGTON, Ky. — The challenge awaiting Will Stein in his first season as Kentucky football coach is steeper than Jellico Mountain. Five Southeastern Conference football teams made the 2025 College Football Playoffs. UK will face three of them — Alabama,…
When was this published? This article was first published on July 10, 2026 by Waco Tribune-Herald and curated for The Waco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Mark Story, Lexington Herald-Leader at Waco Tribune-Herald. To learn more about how The Waco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Waco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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