Barnhart to retire

[GOCAT15]

Being reported by Pete Thamel.

https://www.espn.com/contributor/pete-thamel

[WeWant9]

It’s time. I don’t think he’s built for this current era of college sports.

[GOCAT15]

I agree, and hopefully we can find a replacement that knows how to handle this new era.

[bthaunert]

He did a lot of great things for UK. He also struggled in some critical areas. This is a vital hire for the athletic department. They cannot hand it over to to Marc Hill and they cannot bring DeWayne Peavy back. They need fresh blood, who has experience at a program that embraced the new era of college athletics. I would actually hire Cam Walker from Utah State. Danny White's right hand guy at Tennessee, where he was from 2021-2025 and was the admin for both football and basketball and oversaw their NIL program.

[***St.Patterson-54***]

We need someone with cutting edge approach to NIL.

[Semi-OldEvilleCat]

This is what Google AI came up with:
While a formal national search is expected to begin immediately, several names have emerged as logical candidates for the position:

• Greg Byrne (Alabama AD): As a former Barnhart protégé, Byrne has extensive experience in the SEC, managing top-tier football and basketball programs. He has often been cited as a top-tier candidate for major athletic director vacancies.
• Scott Stricklin (Florida AD): Another highly regarded administrator who worked under Barnhart, bringing SEC-level experience and familiarity with the expectations of a high-pressure, multi-sport athletic department.
• John Cohen (Auburn AD): A former Kentucky baseball coach and administrator under Barnhart, Cohen has proven his ability to navigate the SEC and is deeply familiar with the culture of the University of Kentucky.
• Internal Candidates: Given the stability Barnhart brought, UK might look to senior leadership within the department to continue recent success in NIL management and facility upgrades

[TrueblueCATfan]

I heard this month's ago...he is planning to retire in July
it's time..he is getting up in age
he will be 67 in August

[Cawood86]

Welp.....this might be the news most wanted.....I think UK should ve innovative here if they know how

[bthaunert]

This is what Google AI came up with:
While a formal national search is expected to begin immediately, several names have emerged as logical candidates for the position:

• Greg Byrne (Alabama AD): As a former Barnhart protégé, Byrne has extensive experience in the SEC, managing top-tier football and basketball programs. He has often been cited as a top-tier candidate for major athletic director vacancies.
• Scott Stricklin (Florida AD): Another highly regarded administrator who worked under Barnhart, bringing SEC-level experience and familiarity with the expectations of a high-pressure, multi-sport athletic department.
• John Cohen (Auburn AD): A former Kentucky baseball coach and administrator under Barnhart, Cohen has proven his ability to navigate the SEC and is deeply familiar with the culture of the University of Kentucky.
• Internal Candidates: Given the stability Barnhart brought, UK might look to senior leadership within the department to continue recent success in NIL management and facility upgrades

They only list those guys because they work for Mitch at UK. I don't think any of those guys are leaving their current situation to come to UK.

[CATHYnKY]

I want someone associated with UK. Either former Coach or player.

[Semi-OldEvilleCat]

They only list those guys because they work for Mitch at UK. I don't think any of those guys are leaving their current situation to come to UK.

Yeah I'm sure you're right, I don't know enough to know. I was just curious as to what AI would come up with. Hopefully it is someone with an innovative mind for the NIL years. I also like your idea of either Tayshaun Prince or Nazr Mohammed as basketball GM. I think it has to be someone with ties to UK.

[Pete Hogwallop]

I know some people have been calling for him to be fired since the dawn of time, but he did a lot of good for UK.

[South jones]

Hope the new AD doesn't believe in lifetime contracts
Barnhart will probably have a.lot of input in the hiring of the new AD so he may be wanting someone with past UK ties. Can you say Dewayne Peevy?

[bthaunert]

Hope the new AD doesn't believe in lifetime contracts
Barnhart will probably have a.lot of input in the hiring of the new AD so he may be wanting someone with past UK ties. Can you say Dewayne Peevy?

I'm really afraid of how much input he will have. I think it will be Marc Hill before Peavy if it was up to Barnhart. Hill has been with Mitch for his entire tenure at UK. Peevy was at UK for 12 years and I'm honestly not sure how close he and Mitch were. But to your point, I'm very afraid of what's going to happen.

[bthaunert]

Yeah I'm sure you're right, I don't know enough to know. I was just curious as to what AI would come up with. Hopefully it is someone with an innovative mind for the NIL years. I also like your idea of either Tayshaun Prince or Nazr Mohammed as basketball GM. I think it has to be someone with ties to UK.

It s amazing the AD tree he has out there. Top have the AD's at Alabama, Florida, Auburn, Minnesota and Oregon all being UK guys at a point in their career under Mitch is crazy.