CFP QUARTERFINAL AT THE CAPITAL ONE ORANGE BOWL: OREGON VS TEXAS TECH

December 30, 2025

Will Stein

Hard Rock Stadium

Oregon Ducks

Press Conference

Q. Obviously you're hoping that you're going to be working on this next week, the portal is going to be open. Is that strange at all?

WILL STEIN: Yeah, I mean, strange? Obviously, like I said, when I'm here, it's all Oregon nonstop, try to keep your head in this tournament, with this game.

But that's what I signed up for, and I'd say it's first-world problems. That's what I signed up for, and to do it again with these guys on this stage, with these players, I'm glad I have the opportunity to do that before going to Kentucky.

Q. What about this offensive line -- obviously in one year they've managed to be a really interesting unit. How would you describe the way they've shown up?

WILL STEIN: They're really good. I think obviously they're great (indiscernible) and on the interior they're really active. It's an elite unit.

Q. How was your Christmas?

WILL STEIN: It was great. It really was great. We spent a good amount of time at home, just kind of relaxing with the kids, then when I had to field some phone calls, to work two jobs, but really just tried to be present in the moment with my family and give it my all and enjoy the time.

Q. How did your Christmas shopping go with your children and two jobs?

WILL STEIN: The night before, I said, what did we get Joey again? She kind of let me know beforehand. It's been fun.

Q. When you see the season that Dante has had, when you take into account the totality of his process, coming here and then kind of -- I don't know if risk is the right word for what he went through last year, but just kind of the unconventional route, what do you take the most pride in in his development and where he's at?

WILL STEIN: How humble he is and how humble he's been. Never asked me one time last year about playing time or trying to get reps over Dillon. Just did his job. He's an absolute pro. Learns, develops, knew his time was coming.

And when it did, it's obviously been the right decision for him just to sit back -- not relax, because he pushed, he grew, but to just know that, hey, my time is coming. And whenever he's gotten that opportunity, he's made the most of it.

Q. What was your first interaction working out with him when he got here? Was he pushing Dillon at all?

WILL STEIN: Oh, yeah. He had some plays in spring that first year and I was like, oh, my God, this guy is special. He's unique. He's got rare ability in terms of throwing the football, anticipation, knowing angles, everything. It's very rare. You could tell right away this guy is going to be a first-rate player.

He didn't quite have that experience yet, but Dillon did, and Dillon was the right man for the job last year, went 13-0, but you definitely saw early on that Dante was unique.