As the Oregon Ducks prepare for College Football Playoff action, two of their top coordinators have postponed the start of their dream jobs to stay with the program through the postseason.
Offensive coordinator Will Stein accepted the head coaching position at the University of Kentucky, a move that would normally signal his immediate departure from Eugene. Instead, Stein is staying on to guide Oregon’s offense through the CFP. When asked about the choice, he emphasized loyalty to his players and the Ducks’ coaching staff, saying he would’ve felt like “a complete fraud” leaving before Oregon’s playoff run concluded.
Defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi, who recently was named the head coach at Cal, made the same commitment. Unlike some coaching departures that happen once the regular season ends, Lupoi made it clear that his priority was finishing what the Ducks started this season. His insistence on staying through the CFP reportedly cost him another potential job opportunity where the employer wanted someone who could start immediately.
That dual‑role juggling act — coaching a playoff contender while preparing for a new head‑coaching tenure — is rare but underscores the intensity of Oregon’s current season. Both Stein and Lupoi will split responsibilities, keeping their focus on helping the Ducks succeed in the postseason before fully transitioning to their new programs after Oregon’s final game.
Oregon, currently ranked No. 5 in the nation, is set to face James Madison in the CFP first round. With their coordinators firmly in place for the run, the Ducks are aiming to capitalize on stability at a moment when many teams are affected by coaching carousel distractions.