‘Because Of Me’: Will Stein went full Curt Cignetti at SEC Media Days

Can Kentucky be the new Indiana? That is a question many have brought up and hypothesized about this offseason. Those comps are not going to slow down after Will Stein‘s debut performance at SEC Media Days on Monday. The comparisons are getting a little too close for comfort at this point. Perhaps the most striking similarity occurred in Tampa. Former Division II head coach Curt Cignetti has taken the college football world over with a miraculous two-year run at Indiana that included an undefeated national champions, Heisman Trophy, and No. 1 overall pick during the 2025 season. Before that, there was a hot start in 2024 that ended in the playoff. Ahead of that was a viral quote during Cignetti’s first signing day press conference when he delivered a viral quote that is still talked about. This is what the current king of college football said when asked how does he sell the vision of his culture when recruiting. “It’s pretty simple. I win,” Cignetti said. “Google me.” That seven-word answer consisted of 27 letters and sent a message to the college football community. The clip quickly went viral with many online mocking the Big Ten head coach. We all know that Cignetti got the eventual last laugh. Stein may have just had his “Google me” moment at SEC Media Days. The 36-year-old head coach said in his opening statement on the big stage in Tampa that he took the Kentucky job because he believes he can win in Lexington. It wasn’t because his dad played at UK or because he grew up going to games. KSR asked Stein a follow up question during the Q&A portion of the event. This is what he said. I think because of me, to be honest. I think cause of me. I think I know what it takes. I have seen it at the highest levels. I know what it takes to recruit at this level. You just got to believe, man. You just got to put the ball down and play. There’s really nothing else to be said. Is it going to happen overnight? I don’t know. I really don’t. If I had a crystal ball, everybody in this room would be really, really rich now. The best determination of what you’re doing is working is putting the ball down and playing football. There’s going to be bumps in the road. I mentioned it in the speech. I am prepared for tough moments and tough times. I’m succumbed to that in our process, right? I already do self-talk myself about how can I stay neutral. When stuff is bad, I can stay as neutral as possible and be very diplomatic in my approach. That’s why. Growing up a fan is great. It’s one thing. I know the players that we can get here. I know we can recruit north, south and east. People come to Lexington, and love it. The longer I live there, the more I am like, wow, this place is incredible. It’s got everything that you want. It’s great food, nightlife, community, university. It’s safe. Big Blue Nation. I takes some TLC. You have to go attack. You can’t sit back and wait. That’s one thing I refuse to do at Kentucky is to wait. I’m really excited about our administration, the direction that it’s going. Again, I said I was so fired up that Mitch (Barnhart) brought me here. I’m also excited about what the future holds. That’s why I’m excited. That’s why I believe. Or else I wouldn’t have taken the job. I would have stayed at Oregon, coached Dante (Moore), stayed out there. Will Stein Stein ultimately gave a longer answer than Cignetti but the first part of that answer came is what everyone will remember. “Because of me” is the new “Google me”. The clip is already going viral similar to Cignetti’s famous quote. Kentucky hopes that the preseason confidence will lead to similar results on the field. Is Kentucky positioned to be the new Indiana? The comps will be easier to make after Stein’s SEC Media Days debut. A new era of Wildcat football has arrived and it is one that has supreme confidence despite of what has happened in the past.