Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
Statement from Mitch Barnhart:
Being a Kansas native with family in the area, having gone to Ottawa University in Kansas and my wife, Connie being a Kansas alum, I have many ties to the state. We have received calls from friends and supporters of the university about the athletic director position at Kansas. I have not been formally contacted by the University of Kansas. I am 100% focused on UK Athletics. We have made progress in many areas over the last eight years, but we need to provide our coaches and student-athletes with the facilities to compete at the highest level. We have initiated the process of building a new track and are now focused on how we can upgrade Commonwealth Stadium and our football facilities. Our 22 sports receive unbelievable support from the Big Blue Nation and our fans deserve championship level success across the board.
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November 15th, 2010 at 5:39 pm
okay???
November 15th, 2010 at 5:40 pm
You can’t really be mad at the guy for trying to move home and get a raise to boot. I know I want him to stay at UK but if he were to move on I wouldn’t fault him for it. I for one like the news that he probably won’t get the job but I don’t think he was looking because he wants out of UK just a once in a limetime chance and he tried for it. No harm no foul in my book.
November 15th, 2010 at 5:41 pm
Free Brainfart!!!!! Send him to KU. Make Richie Farmer our AD
November 15th, 2010 at 5:41 pm
First sentence makes me think he’s gone if they offer it to him.
November 15th, 2010 at 5:43 pm
Rich Brooks AD…Mike Leach Head football coach…Aaron Boyd locked in a closet…problems solved
November 15th, 2010 at 5:46 pm
I like how he threw in the “new track” followed by hopes of improving Commonwealth. GET THAT MONEY MITCH. The new track will keep fans at bay until he figures out some way to not F up the money for renovations. That Mitch is purty smart. So smart that I believe he should take his talents to KU.
November 15th, 2010 at 5:47 pm
Interpretation: “Hell yeah, I’ve been shopping my resume since I lost control of basketball operations”
November 15th, 2010 at 5:48 pm
obviously he’s interested in the job. adios Mitch.
November 15th, 2010 at 5:49 pm
PLEASE Barnfart – beg ‘em for the job…and, good riddance!
November 15th, 2010 at 5:50 pm
That explains the Billy Gillispie saga.
November 15th, 2010 at 5:51 pm
Good thing we are building a new track. God for bid we don’t get that new track everyone was wanting. Since that what brings in all the fans/money. FIX THE FOOTBALL STADIUM!! Then work on Rupp 2.0.
November 15th, 2010 at 5:52 pm
Yea. Right Mitch. So these callers have sent your application in and you are on the interview list. If you are 100 percent focused on UK athletics how will you find time for the trip to Kansas? Click your heels together three times and say “There’s no place like home”.
November 15th, 2010 at 5:53 pm
“but we need to provide our coaches and student-athletes with the facilities to compete at the highest level”
key word here is “but”
November 15th, 2010 at 5:53 pm
Apparently a lot of UK fans/supporters are envious of Mitch Barnhart,and for whatever reason always think the grass is greener on the other side.With the exception of the Gillispie hire,Mitch has done a pretty decent job bring in capable coaches,and upgrading UK athletic facilities.
November 15th, 2010 at 5:55 pm
Man those fart jokes are funny!
November 15th, 2010 at 5:59 pm
Upgrading facilities across the board? Gee, I wonder where Mitch gets all of his great ieas? This kid’s been a step behind me since Day One!
November 15th, 2010 at 6:00 pm
Damn, he is a “lie dawg” to!
November 15th, 2010 at 6:00 pm
I like Mitch, he’s solid. I agree #14. And I’ll say that I was a big fan of BCG getting hired, and ultimately fired.
November 15th, 2010 at 6:09 pm
If you want an upgraded football program and stadium the money is going to need to come thru donations… UK is way behind every SEC school but Vandy in this area… Mitch has been villified for raising ticket prices and donations but folks it is going to take even more money!!! Mitch has pumped money into all the programs and that is why we are competitive now in allot of womens and mens sports across the board… Football pays for allot of this so don’t be suprised if prices and seat donations go up some more… We need better upgraded football facilities to help with recruiting!!!
November 15th, 2010 at 6:10 pm
Can we assume that “not formally contacted” does not mean “not interested”…?
November 15th, 2010 at 6:10 pm
14,18 kentucky fans are as fickle as it gets. sometimes im sad to call myself a kentucky fan just because these are the groups of people that people point to when they call us asses.
November 15th, 2010 at 6:11 pm
#16 I hope that’s sarcasm. If you haven’t noticed we beat UL at most every sport, both that are most important. Not to mention all of the other bad publicity the UL athletic department has received in the past 18 months.
November 15th, 2010 at 6:21 pm
I agree with #20….If Mitch goes 500 million Chinese will wake up the next day and never know the difference.
November 15th, 2010 at 6:22 pm
Barnhardt has don an excellent job. 5 bowls in a row…..John Calipari. I hope he stays, but I wish him the best if he doesn’t, since that is what he’s given UK, his best.
November 15th, 2010 at 6:27 pm
What little I’ve seen of this guy in interviews and pressers he comes off a little like a doofus.
November 15th, 2010 at 6:33 pm
I support Mitch Barnhart. A good AD and a good man.
November 15th, 2010 at 6:38 pm
TRANSLATED: i wanted the kansas job SO BAD! it is now apparent im not going to get it. so i put out this statement to try to cover my ass so i dont get fired. please forgive me big blue nation.
November 15th, 2010 at 6:45 pm
I think he’s been a very good AD. Can’t please everybody…
November 15th, 2010 at 6:47 pm
Mitch is currently NOT a front runner for the Kansas AD job. That being said, I would love to see him go there. I will be disappointed for UK fans but excited for my alma mater. Mitch is important to Kentucky because his sterling reputation for honesty and integrity helps outweigh preconceived notions about other current UK sports figures. I would not be so eager to see him leave as some of you are.
November 15th, 2010 at 6:47 pm
It’d be nice to have video screens on the sides of Rupp saying “Welcome to Rupp Arena!” so that they can change to something else after everybody has realized they are still welcome 20 minutes later.
November 15th, 2010 at 6:52 pm
Hope he takes the Kansas job and maybe they can spend their money on a new track instead of putting it into the basketball program where it belongs. We need a new arena. Let’s concentrate on that first.
November 15th, 2010 at 6:57 pm
Will, I ges my peoples Knead me. Kinna hurd to gave up the sweet gaig I gots now, u now, being onna stait en everthang, butt knot reely wurkin. But mah peeples need me, ain’t eyeta respon’? Ain, itz muh dreem jobb, ta boots!!! Sheit far! I cain brang een ahl my huntin, fishin, publican mustiches to roun ouh my staif!! My peeples knee me!!!
November 15th, 2010 at 6:58 pm
I like Mitch and hope he stays. He is a good man with honesty and integrity and I think that is good for the University of Kentucky.
November 15th, 2010 at 7:07 pm
30) funny….and true.
However 31, It’s not like Rupp is that bad – let’s give football a taste of the $$
November 15th, 2010 at 7:17 pm
Something smells.
November 15th, 2010 at 7:21 pm
What happened to the IMG deal to upgrade Commomwealth and build Rupp Arena 2.0? Barnhart
deserves to be fired if that deal is dead!!
November 15th, 2010 at 7:22 pm
UK football sucks, always has always will. Let’s face it, UK will NEVER win the SEC in football and will NEVER play in a BCS Championship game. Just not gonna happen. So take your 6 wins each year and have fun at the Liberty Bowl. And for the record, Tennessee will whip our team. I love UK, but I’m sick of getting my hopes up only to be crushed by our kitty kats. As for Brainfart, I hope he’s already in Kansas. We need an AD like CM Newton was back in the day.
November 15th, 2010 at 7:25 pm
37: Sadly, I agree with you. I am a season ticket holder and I’ve counted only about 12 wins in the past 10 years when UK plays the SEC here at home. I just do it for the tailgating and the babes and the brew and the rib eyes and all that good stuff. I’m usually to wasted to care about our loss:) But I still love my Cats!!!! C A T S Cats Cats Cats OHHHH C A T S Cats Cats Cats
November 15th, 2010 at 7:28 pm
CM Newton was a GREAT AD. But that was during a time in which UK ruled the basketball world. We had Pitino in his prime, Cawood on the mic and CM running the AD. Times were good. But sadly, those days are over. The NCAA runs the show now and micro manages everything. It will be VERY difficult for UK to win another title in basketball regardless of who’s coaching. Cal’s players won’t stay long enough to win one. The only thing we can hope is that the NBA makes college players play at least two seasons.
November 15th, 2010 at 7:40 pm
37 – UK doesnt need fans with an attitude like yours. It sucks worse than you claim the football team does. take a hike, d-bag
November 15th, 2010 at 7:53 pm
FREE ENES!!!!!
November 15th, 2010 at 7:58 pm
39-times were only good for ONE sport-BASKETBALL! Every other sport was the laughing stock of the SEC. Now we feel like we have a chance in football. Our baseball team is competitive in the SEC and hauling in top 20 recruiting classes. Volleyball is a regular to the NCAA tourney.Golf, tennis, soccer , softball, Womens basketball is in the TOP 10! Come on give me a friggin break! An AD oversees the entire athletics program. Not just basketball!! Barnhart should leave KY because our fans don’t deserve him!!
November 15th, 2010 at 8:13 pm
Mitch Barnhart has done an outstanding job at UK and if you don’t see that then you are not paying attention. If he chooses to leave we should thank him for a job well done and if he stays look forward to more fine work.
November 15th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
This statement by Mitch is pretty much a clear admission he is interested in the KU job.
It seems to me, with the exception of the BCG disaster, he has done a very good job as athletic director. If he’d rather be somewhere else though – he should go. Must be pretty tough pulling down ten grand a week.
The question is, if mitch wants to leave – who replaces him that could do as good or a better job?
November 15th, 2010 at 8:24 pm
I like Mitch. And totally understand if he pursues the KU job. It, too, is a top program, would pay more, and he’d be “home.”
That being said, I think his statement was politic and intentionally vapid. He used the word “formally” which does not rule out informal contact. And he did say that that KU hasn’t contacted HIM. He didn’t address whether he had formally contacted THEM.
Nonetheless, I wish him well and thank him for Coach Cal.
November 15th, 2010 at 8:24 pm
How did he and Lee Todd f*ck up the IMG deal?
November 15th, 2010 at 8:26 pm
New track, super. How about a new basketball cathedral instead?
November 15th, 2010 at 8:59 pm
Maybe Mitch is sending the message to the university that they need to help with facilities or he’s gone.
November 15th, 2010 at 9:13 pm
Mitch has been an outstanding addition to the school, despite having to make unpopular decisions. He stuck by Rich Brooks (remember the “Ditch Mitch and Rich” movement), admitted his mistake with BCG and then got the best possible coach, and built the finest basketball training facility in America. If you look beyond football and basketball, the results are even more impressive. He is an outstanding man of character and integrity, and deserves better than being anonymously insulted with uninspired, unoriginal, and unfunny name calling in the comments section.
Mitch has had several job offers over the last few years, and has faithfully stuck by the university and the student athletes he serves. To lure him away would take an exceptional offer. The university will be worse without him, but if it is the right move for his family I support him.
November 15th, 2010 at 9:29 pm
What about the PGA job he tried to get last year? He not only hired BillyG over Coach Cal, he gave him a $6 million buyout. He also had to pay Coach Cal at least a $1 million more, per year, two years later, then he would have had to pay him to come to UK when he hired BillyG. Then UK had to hire a guy to be over basketball, because Coach Cal can not stand him.
November 15th, 2010 at 9:37 pm
ie: I want the job, but they haven’t called me yet. Oh yeah, before you upgrade Commonwealth Stadium why don’t you fill the seats you have first.
November 15th, 2010 at 9:48 pm
So of he’s not good enough for Kansas, do we want him?
Since he’s been here, UK football moved from S&!tty to mediocre, Billy G was a coach here, the facilities have not seen a single upgrade since being here, IMG/Rupp deal fizzled, and Wildcat Coal Lodge received the funds over two years ago, but has yet to break ground.
Other than making women’s track better, what has he done?
November 15th, 2010 at 10:04 pm
Well Well Well. Looks like Mitch is getting out while he can. He is leaving because he knows Cal is nothing but a shady litle cheater! Mitch is a good church going person who has high morals and values, similar to our great AD. He was forced into taking Cal and now deeply regrets it. He can’t sleep at night because of Cals dirty and cheating ways. Mitch does not want to have his good clean name dragged in the mudd when the NCAA comes calling soon. Its just a matter of time. The right people have gone to the NCAA about Cal’s ways. Your string of number 1 recruiting classes will be ending real soon.
November 15th, 2010 at 10:29 pm
Mitch Barnhart has done a great job elevating the competiveness and facilities in ALL programs. The football program is on the verge of 5 consectutive bowl appearances and he brought in Calipari. By the way, how did the football program do during CM Newton’s tenure? Or the women’s basketball or the baseball team. That’s what I thought. And Mitch has done this with honor and integrity. Richie Farmer? I loved him as a basketball player, but AD? You gota be kidding me.
November 15th, 2010 at 10:30 pm
You guys don’t get to see what I see!!!
November 15th, 2010 at 10:45 pm
Barnhart is the best AD this university has ever had….amazing it is still not realized by many in this state…oh well
November 15th, 2010 at 10:56 pm
Which translates to; “If offered, I will be heading to Kansas.”
November 15th, 2010 at 11:42 pm
i dont get it. everybody downs mitch. i mean kentucky womens basketball came back from the doldrums and now what our we, in the top ten. the football program consistently goes to bowl games when we used to only dream of making one, the basketball team has gotten back on its feet and has consistently gotten the top recruiting class the last three years and i am mindful of the slight bump in the road with bcg, and a lot of our other sports our excelling as well. please explain why mitch is so bad????
November 16th, 2010 at 12:31 am
Free Enes!!!
November 16th, 2010 at 1:23 am
Alabama has raised over $100mm through fundraising over the last five years and has upgraded facilities in all sports. Auburn just spent close to $100mm on a new basketball arena. While, in the same time period, UK has done virtually NOTHING. We built a new practice facility, which IMO happened despite Mitch and not through his own work. Sorry, but I WILL NOT be sad to see Mitch go. I could not give less of a rat’s ass about tennis, soccer, rifle, or track and field. Don’t care about a new track, I want video scoreboards, new press boxes, new exterior and interior facades for CWS, and a new basketball arena. It seems Mitch hung his hopes on the IMG deal working out and now that it has apparently failed to come through, we’re back at square one? That’s a pretty worthless AD right there, folks. Rifle championships and women’s basketball Elite Eights mean precisely DICK in the state of Kentucky when you’ve let your facilities for your two biggest sports stagnate the way Barnhart has.
Goodbye, Mitch! Go sell your empty promises somewhere else.
November 16th, 2010 at 9:32 am
uk may beat ut this year, but it’s only because ut sucks extremely bad so far. i agree #37 & 38
November 16th, 2010 at 11:07 am
Ditch Mitch!
November 16th, 2010 at 3:34 pm
We have the best basketball coach in the country. The basketball program has been restored as the elite program that it was in the past. The football program is slowly but consistently making progress and is at this point better than it has been in my lifetime. (92 alumni) All your complaints about Mitch are unwarranted and make us fans look like a bunch of boneheads.