One of Mitch Barnhart’s most notable moves as Kentucky’s athletic director was hiring former UK basketball captain Mark Pope to lead the Wildcats’ program. Following Kentucky’s 95-86 loss at Texas A&M on Tuesday night, Pope praised his boss, whose retirement was announced earlier in the day. “He’s got an unbelievable legacy. He’s left an incredible legacy on college sports. A lot of athletic directors make an impact on some sports at their school, maybe their school,” Pope told the Herald-Leader. “As the story of Mitch Barnhart is told, he’s made an unbelievable impact, not just on athletics at Kentucky, but also on the entire campus, on the development of the campus. Where Kentucky is today, he’s had his fingerprints over everything good that’s happened in college athletics over the last 25 years, in the position as athletic director and as a leading, tenured voice in the country for athletic departments.”
When Barnhart introduced Pope as UK’s basketball coach during a lively Rupp Arena press event, he said, “He will guide us back to our heart, through all of the changes in college sports. He understands the DNA that leads us to the destination. He says this changed the trajectory of his life. We’re excited for this, for him to do this for our program and our guys.” Pope, who played under Rick Pitino from 1994-96 and captained the 1996 NCAA championship team, reflected on Barnhart’s departure: “He’ll be sorely missed. But his influence is going to continue to be felt. He’ll still be, in some ways, a more active advocate for the new direction of college athletics. He’s just changing positions; he’s not stepping away from his stewardship of college athletics.”
Barnhart will continue with UK in a new role. UK President Eli Capilouto revealed that Barnhart will become the first executive in residence of the new UK Sport and Workforce Initiative, aligning with the transition outlined in his most recent contract, which allows him to move into an ambassador role in July. Pope is among three UK head coaches, alongside women’s basketball coach Kenny Brooks and baseball coach Nick Mingione, whose contracts are affected by Barnhart’s upcoming retirement.
Under Barnhart as athletic director, if Pope left UK without cause during his contract, he would owe the university 33% of his prorated remaining salary. Without Barnhart in the AD role, that obligation drops to 20%. Pope’s contract runs through March 2030, and he received a one-year extension after leading Kentucky to the Sweet 16 last season. Pope’s predecessor, John Calipari, who coached UK from 2009-2024 and led the 2012 NCAA title run, also acknowledged Barnhart’s retirement on social media Tuesday, noting that although they “didn’t always see eye to eye,” Barnhart “did a good job.”