When the news came out that UK was firing Stoops, I was one who thought we may have waited too long and missed the opportunity to get a quality replacement.

Less than 24 hours later, UK had their man (Will Stein) signed sealed and delivered.

The Stein hire is classic Barnhart...he seems to swing the pendulum with each major hire and bringing in a young offensive minded coach is definitely a pendulum swing. 

As for Barnhart, as a whole, I think he has been a great AD for ALL SPORTS and great ambassador for UK.  I questioned him Monday morning, but I applaud him now. 

One can question his contract negotiation skills, but at  the time he signed the contracts for both CAL and Stoops, they were among the hottest coaches in the land, and thus you have to not only pay them accordingly, you also have to "sweeten" the deals with no buy out incentives, lifetime contract talk etc...

A lot of those contract deals are relegated in recruiting and thus the Hot Coach sometimes holds the cards.  While Mitch has gotten his share of critism lately, I think he made the right call all away around with the way he handled the football situation.

Blast away!

 

Barnhart should have been fired years ago, after giving all these lifetime contracts. 

On 12/2/2025 at 12:25 PM, okie1 said:

When the news came out that UK was firing Stoops, I was one who thought we may have waited too long and missed the opportunity to get a quality replacement.

Less than 24 hours later, UK had their man (Will Stein) signed sealed and delivered.

The Stein hire is classic Barnhart...he seems to swing the pendulum with each major hire and bringing in a young offensive minded coach is definitely a pendulum swing. 

As for Barnhart, as a whole, I think he has been a great AD for ALL SPORTS and great ambassador for UK.  I questioned him Monday morning, but I applaud him now. 

One can question his contract negotiation skills, but at  the time he signed the contracts for both CAL and Stoops, they were among the hottest coaches in the land, and thus you have to not only pay them accordingly, you also have to "sweeten" the deals with no buy out incentives, lifetime contract talk etc...

A lot of those contract deals are relegated in recruiting and thus the Hot Coach sometimes holds the cards.  While Mitch has gotten his share of critism lately, I think he made the right call all away around with the way he handled the football situation.

Blast away!

 

Let’s hope this hire is a home run hire. I’m so tired of people acting like it is unrealistic to think UK can compete for the playoffs in the SEC. We just saw Indiana win the Big 10. It is impossible, but you have to get the right coach, and change the culture and believe you can do it. 

18 minutes ago, futurecoach said:

Let’s hope this hire is a home run hire. I’m so tired of people acting like it is unrealistic to think UK can compete for the playoffs in the SEC. We just saw Indiana win the Big 10. It is impossible, but you have to get the right coach, and change the culture and believe you can do it. 

This is where I've sat for the last two seasons

37 minutes ago, futurecoach said:

Let’s hope this hire is a home run hire. I’m so tired of people acting like it is unrealistic to think UK can compete for the playoffs in the SEC. We just saw Indiana win the Big 10. It is impossible, but you have to get the right coach, and change the culture and believe you can do it. 

Ugh typo. It is possible is what I meant to put. 

2 hours ago, Big East Zebra said:

Barnhart should have been fired years ago, after giving all these lifetime contracts. 

The Cal lifetime contract wasn't a lifetime coaching contract. It was a job as a ambassador for the University after his coaching tenure was up, which I think was in 2027 or 2028, at a very reduced amount of pay.

Stoops didn't have a "lifetime" contract, just one with a horrible clause in it about his payout if fired.

I think Mitch has done a much better job than a lot of reactionary fans and Matt Jones does. Since he's been at UK, numerous new facilities across the entire athletic department from a new baseball stadium, new indoor track facility, complete remodel of Memorial for Women's Basketball and Volleyball, completely new practice facilities for football and new or upgraded facilities for softball and soccer. All time best success for Baseball, Women's Basketball, Volleyball (includes a title),Track, Football, Softball, Tennis and a National Title in Basketball. 

Through all of this UK has been one of a handful of Athletic Departs that were completely self funded without funding from the University's General fund. This year with the NIL double dip will be the first year in decades where Athletics doesn't at least break even.

I don't 100% agree with every decision, but he's done a good job and should be held in high esteem when he retires soon.