Kentucky
Former Oregon standout and analyst Dallas Warmack to join Kentucky coaching staff
Will Stein continues to impress the college football world since taking over the helm as Kentucky Football’s head coach a few weeks ago.
It’s not only signing talented players that’s catching eyes; Stein is also perfecting his recruiting pitch to lure other coaches away from their current programs to work alongside him in Lexington.
On Sunday, Pete Nakos broke news that former Oregon Ducks standout Dallas Warmack would be joining Stein on the sidelines as an assistant offensive line coach. Warmack was a top player in the class of 2015, committing to Alabama, where he’d play three seasons before transferring to Oregon.
As a Duck, he started 24 of 26 games and earned Pac-12 Third-Team honors as a senior in 2019. After college, Warmack bounced around professionally, including playing in the XFL before transitioning into an analyst role on the Ducks’ staff.
This marks now the third coach who will be in charge of revamping and maintaining UK’s Big Blue Wall. Cutter Leftwich will lead the position group while Warmack and Derek Warehime will contribute in supporting roles.
Shoring up the offensive line is something that’s clearly been a priority for Will Stein and his staff. There’s now no dodging around the fact that there will be no shortage of fingers to point should things not go as planned. The talent is in place with proven mentors to surround them with.
It’s also worth noting that Oregon had a stellar offensive line that competed to be one of the nation’s best during Will Stein’s tenure with the Ducks. If he can replicate that kind of execution in the SEC, then the Cats will already be a leg up from where they were a season ago. If nothing else, it will be refreshing to see a polished unit that looks organized and avoids penalties.
Welcome to Lexington, Coach Warmack.
Kentucky
Kentucky is poised to land either Donnie Freeman or Sebastian Rancik this weekend, per report
Jones posted on Twitter that “Kentucky will have (absent a major change) either Freeman or Rancik by tomorrow,” while also noting the Wildcats still need to add another shooter and another big to round out the roster.
One of the top targets is Donnie Freeman, a 6-foot-9, 205-pound sophomore forward transferring from Syracuse. Freeman arrived in Lexington on Tuesday night and began his visit on Wednesday before leaving without a commitment. While there was concern he could land at UConn, that visit has since been canceled, leaving Kentucky and St. John’s as the top teams.
Freeman averaged 16.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game last season, while adding nearly a block and a steal per contest. He shot 47.4% from the field but 30.2% from 3-point range across 23 games.
The other option is Sebastian Rancik, a 6-foot-11, 220-pound sophomore forward transferring from Colorado. Rancik visited Kentucky starting Wednesday through Thursday and brings a versatile skill set, averaging 12.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2 assists per game while shooting 33.1% from 3.
Either Freeman or Rancik would provide a significant boost at the power forward position for head coach Mark Pope. Kentucky has already added guards Zoom Diallo and Alex Wilkins in the portal.
Kentucky football coach Will Stein reflects on new position
Will Stein was officially introduced to fans and media as the head coach for the Kentucky Wildcats, replacing Mark Stoops.
LEXINGTON — Kentucky football had its first spring game under new coach Will Stein at Kroger Field on Saturday.
The offense, in blue jerseys, had its moments. So too the defense, donning white uniforms.
Ultimately, the blue squad earned a 23-18 victory in a game called just after noon because of inclement weather.
Stein admitted he “got emotional” as he charged onto the field prior to kickoff.
“I know it wasn’t a real game, but when I ran on the field, I definitely — man, I felt it,” he said. “It was like a wave running over me. And very, very, just cool.”
While it doesn’t count in the standings, Stein walked away pleased.
“I think we got a lot of really good work,” he said. “That’s the goal of spring is to improve with fundamentals and technique, learn how to practice, learn what winning edges that we need throughout spring to go into summer and fall and prepare the team for play. And we came out of the scrimmage clean. There (were) no injuries, which to me, that’s the biggest win of the day. I could (not) care less about the score.
“If we come out clean, that’s good. The Wildcats won.”
New starting QB Kenny Minchey looked about as expected, with sharp passes evened out by moments of inconsistency. Martels Carter Jr., a defensive back who is lining up at running back this spring, scored a touchdown and had several nice runs.
And the defense forced multiple three-and-outs and also picked off one Minchey pass on a two-point conversion.
This story will be updated.
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
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