Kentucky's new head coach, Will Stein, is drawing inspiration from an unlikely source: the Indiana Hoosiers. After two painful losses to Indiana last season while serving as Oregon's offensive coordinator, Stein isn't harboring resentment—he's taking notes.

Indiana's remarkable transformation from college football afterthought to national contender has become the blueprint for programs looking to make their own leap. When Stein appeared on Atlanta's 680 The Fan this week, he made it clear that the Hoosiers' rise was a major factor in his decision to leave Oregon for Kentucky.

"I never would have left Oregon if I didn't feel I could win," Stein said, pointing directly to Indiana's success story as proof that rapid turnarounds are possible in today's college football landscape.

Stein experienced Indiana's resurgence firsthand—twice. The Hoosiers handed Oregon losses both during the regular season in Eugene and later in the Peach Bowl during the College Football Playoff. Those defeats left a lasting impression on the offensive mastermind.

It's a tremendous compliment when coaches cite your program as the gold standard for rebuilding, and Stein isn't alone in that sentiment. The question now: Can he replicate Indiana's formula in Lexington? While Kenny Dillingham's Arizona State made a similar jump to the Playoff in 2024, he operated under very different circumstances than Stein will face with the Wildcats.

Meanwhile, the Hoosiers continue building momentum across multiple sports:

• Indiana football is in the top five for four-star 2027 safety Davion Jones, with a visit already scheduled.
• The men's basketball team has its home and away opponents set for the 2026-27 season.
• Football is hosting a four-star 2027 edge rusher this weekend.
• Men's basketball landed transfer guard Justin Monden.

As Stein looks to Kentucky's future, he's betting that what worked for Indiana can work in the Bluegrass State. For Hoosiers fans, that's the ultimate validation of how far their program has come.