Will Stein tried to mirror Curt Cignetti's swagger, but it didn't hit the same

Hoosier State of Mind · Jul 21, 2026 14:55 · 3 min read

Will Stein tried to mirror Curt Cignetti's swagger, but it didn't hit the same — Jul 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Will Stein speaks to the press during SEC Football Kickoff Media Day at the Tampa Marriott. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Is Will Stein borrowing Curt Cignetti's press conference playbook?

In the college football world, everybody wants to be Curt Cignetti and Indiana right now. Cignetti turned the Hoosiers from an afterthought into a National Championship program in just two years, which has made the Indiana football program the envy of college football fans everywhere.

Cignetti's instant success at IU has put plenty of pressure on new head coaches to deliver instant results as well. That means that some coaches have started trying to follow Cignetti's winning blueprint –– even at the podium.

One of the most eye-popping quotes from Day 1 of SEC Media Days came from new Kentucky head coach Will Stein. When speaking with the media, it became clear that Stein isn't lacking confidence. When asked why he can turn Kentucky into a winning program in the SEC, his answer was simple: "Because of me."

Stein's comments instantly reminded people of Curt Cignetti's famous "I win, Google me," quote from his introductory press conference at Indiana. But if Stein is trying to steal Cignetti's press conference playbook, the comparison falls a little flat.

Will Stein trues to channel his inner Curt Cignetti at SEC Media Days

Here is the full quote from Stein:

I think because of me, to be honest. Because of me. I think I know what it takes. I’ve seen it at the highest levels. I know what it takes to recruit at this level. You’ve just got to believe, man. You’ve just got to put the ball down and play. There’s not really [much] else to be said.Will Stein

There's nothing wrong with confidence. In today's era of college football, it's been proven that what's happened in the past doesn't necessarily have to translate to what can happen now. With the right coach and formula, anything can happen. Look no further than what Indiana has done under Cignetti. Stein is clearly confident in his abilities, and there's nothing wrong with that.

But if Stein hoped to channel Cignetti's viral introduction, his version doesn't resonate nearly as much for one big reason: Stein has never been a college football head coach before. He owns a career record of 0-0 as a head coach, and has just three seasons of experience as an offensive coordinator at a Power 4 program (Oregon).

When Cignetti stated his famous "Google me" line, he had been a college football head coach for 13 seasons and owned a career record of 119-35. He leveled up multiple times and just continued to win. In other words, Cignetti had the winning pedigree to back up his comments. If you Google'd him, you would see a lot of winning. That simply isn't there with Stein.

Will Stein preparing for first season as college football head coach

Whether intentional or not, Stein's SEC Media Day comments echoed a blueprint that helped Cignetti quickly reshape perceptions and build momentum. At age 36, Stein is looking to do the same thing in Lexington.

It won't take long for Stein and the Wildcats to be seriously tested this season. After a Week 1 matchup against Youngstown State, Kentucky is set to host Alabama in Week 2. One week later, Stein's first road game as a college football head coach comes at Kyle Field against Texas A&M.

Other tough matchups on the schedule for the 36-year-old head coach include trips to Tennessee, Oklahoma, and South Carolina with home games against LSU and Florida. It will be interesting to see what kind of results Stein delivers in Year 1.