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UK AD Mitch Barnhart expected to announce retirement
Posted on 3/3/26 at 10:42 am
Posted on 3/3/26 at 10:42 am
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Posted on 3/3/26 at 10:45 am to BluegrassBelle
Are y'all glad, sad, or indifferent?
I got excited when y'all made it to Omaha in 2024 but that flame faded pretty quickly and the whole Stoops debacle it probably was time for him to head into the sunset as an unbiased observer just likes hanging out in Kentucky and so it's fun when your Cats have everyone excited.
I got excited when y'all made it to Omaha in 2024 but that flame faded pretty quickly and the whole Stoops debacle it probably was time for him to head into the sunset as an unbiased observer just likes hanging out in Kentucky and so it's fun when your Cats have everyone excited.
Posted on 3/3/26 at 10:47 am to BluegrassBelle
He’s been a solid AD but he never embraced the direction college sports was heading, he’s been like the Dabo of AD’s.
I’m afraid we’re going to just promote Marc Hill, the Deputy AD.
I’m afraid we’re going to just promote Marc Hill, the Deputy AD.
Posted on 3/3/26 at 10:47 am to Pimphand
It was time. He’s was a good AD for the Olympic sports and grew the AD as a whole. Hired guys like Craig Skinner, Nick Mingione, Kenny Brooks, etc.
That said, he absolutely created a nightmare scenario with his football and basketball contracts. We got very lucky Arkansas took Cal off our hands and relieved us of that boondoggle of a contract.
He’s also way out of touch with NIL.
That said, he absolutely created a nightmare scenario with his football and basketball contracts. We got very lucky Arkansas took Cal off our hands and relieved us of that boondoggle of a contract.
He’s also way out of touch with NIL.
Posted on 3/3/26 at 10:48 am to tWildcat
quote:
I’m afraid we’re going to just promote Marc Hill, the Deputy AD.
I read somewhere else that they’ll do an external search. I’m not a fan of Hill either.
This is also worth noting:
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If tweet fails to load, click here.This post was edited on 3/3/26 at 10:50 am
Posted on 3/3/26 at 10:50 am to BluegrassBelle
Please oh please don't come and steal Cohen from AU!
Posted on 3/3/26 at 10:54 am to BoCam2
quote:Still can’t believe y’all hired him away from State
Please oh please don't come and steal Cohen from AU!
Posted on 3/3/26 at 11:26 am to BluegrassBelle
It's time, probably past time. He did a lot for the non revenue sports, made some questionable hires in others, but has been a good AD overall I think.
The JMI deal seems like a bad deal for UK, but I guess time will tell.
They need to hire an AD and his first move needs to be to hire a GM for basketball.
Don't promote from within, go get a quality AD outside the current school. I know they won't, but they should.
The JMI deal seems like a bad deal for UK, but I guess time will tell.
They need to hire an AD and his first move needs to be to hire a GM for basketball.
Don't promote from within, go get a quality AD outside the current school. I know they won't, but they should.
Posted on 3/3/26 at 11:33 am to Pimphand
It was time for him to go. Past time. He had a MOU on a napkin with Gillespie. He gave away the farm with contract extensions after mediocre seasons for Stoops and a lifetime contract for Cal. A poor business man.
But what soured me on Barnhart at the beginning was the way he treated CM Newton.
Newton left Vanderbilt as their head coach to come to UK as athletic Director. He was promised long-term deferred compensation that Barnhart unilaterally rescinded. CM Newton did a lot for UK. He played for Rupp, came in at a very bad time when we were on probation brought in Rick Pitino and Hal Mumme and lifted us from the doldrums.
Barnhart may be best known for reducing both the size of our football stadium and our basketball arena, reducing the number of seats in order to put in big shot seating. He was no friend of the average fan only the wealthy.
It took a fan revolt to get rid of Joker Phillips. Barnhart would have kept him.
When he first got here he didn’t want My Old Kentucky Home played before games. It wasn’t upbeat enough for him. It is our state song. The band ignored him. It is tradition and the fans love it.
He did get Cal but did it after getting Gillespie and again had to be forced to by the donors.
In short, while Olympic sports benefitted, he wasted tons of money. I am so glad he is leaving.
But what soured me on Barnhart at the beginning was the way he treated CM Newton.
Newton left Vanderbilt as their head coach to come to UK as athletic Director. He was promised long-term deferred compensation that Barnhart unilaterally rescinded. CM Newton did a lot for UK. He played for Rupp, came in at a very bad time when we were on probation brought in Rick Pitino and Hal Mumme and lifted us from the doldrums.
Barnhart may be best known for reducing both the size of our football stadium and our basketball arena, reducing the number of seats in order to put in big shot seating. He was no friend of the average fan only the wealthy.
It took a fan revolt to get rid of Joker Phillips. Barnhart would have kept him.
When he first got here he didn’t want My Old Kentucky Home played before games. It wasn’t upbeat enough for him. It is our state song. The band ignored him. It is tradition and the fans love it.
He did get Cal but did it after getting Gillespie and again had to be forced to by the donors.
In short, while Olympic sports benefitted, he wasted tons of money. I am so glad he is leaving.
Posted on 3/3/26 at 11:36 am to Lynxrufus2012
quote:
He did get Cal
Cal was hired by the athletics board. Barnhart didn't want him.
Posted on 3/3/26 at 11:56 am to kywildcatfanone
Could be Woodward's landing spot
He has ties to former LSU employee Eric Monday
He has ties to former LSU employee Eric Monday
Posted on 3/3/26 at 12:09 pm to kywildcatfanone
True. Could have had him before.
Posted on 3/3/26 at 12:13 pm to Lynxrufus2012
It's official now. Will be done in June but will move to another role at UK.
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If tweet fails to load, click here.Posted on 3/3/26 at 12:17 pm to BluegrassBelle
I hope the new AD is an outside hire but with some Kentucky ties.
Someone who knows Kentucky traditions but isn’t an insider because changes need to be made.
Barnhart taking care of his retirement after screwing over CM Newton. Hypocrite.
Someone who knows Kentucky traditions but isn’t an insider because changes need to be made.
Barnhart taking care of his retirement after screwing over CM Newton. Hypocrite.
Posted on 3/3/26 at 12:18 pm to Lynxrufus2012
Posted on 3/3/26 at 12:23 pm to BluegrassBelle
I would be fine bringing Rob Mullins back.
Posted on 3/3/26 at 12:27 pm to kywildcatfanone
He would know Stein and Kentucky.
Don’t want several of the others.
Don’t want several of the others.
Posted on 3/3/26 at 12:30 pm to BluegrassBelle
This is who you need Kentucky: 
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