Report: Mitch Barnhart to Interview for Kansas AD Position
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PrintPer SPORTSbyBrooks.com, UK athletic director Mitch Barnhart will interview for the vacant Kansas University athletic directior position in December. The report states that along with Barnhart, Tulsa AD Bubba Cunningham will interview for the opening.
Barnhart is originally from Kansas City, Kansas. He has been at Kentucky since 2002.
UPDATE: Barnhart refutes report.
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I'm torn on this
On the one hand, Barnhart has greatly improved the non revenue sports. On the other, his biggest blunders have been on the biggest stage (i.e the 2007 basketball coach search). He supposedly didn’t get along with Tubby, and apparently doesn’t get along with Cal if you believe Matt Jones.
Maybe a change would be best for all.
Then it comes to be that the soothing light at the end of your tunnel, is just a freight train coming your way...
@btcoop71
I am with you coop......not sure how to feel.
Mitch has had his ups and downs, but he has earned his keep. If there is a 4M difference in pay though, I would think he would not hesitate. Kansas may not be what we could consider as prestigious as UK, but I would bet that it is at least as lucrative.
I am now and forever shall be The Cat In The Hat....The Artist formerly known as ABC!
by Greg Alan Edwards on Nov 15, 2010 8:25 AM EST up reply actions
Agree
Mitch has done some good things and he’s made some big mistakes. If he gets the Kansas job I think Mike Garrett is available and maybe Mike Hamilton will be available shortly too.
oh yeah, I see us jumping all over those two.....lol
I am now and forever shall be The Cat In The Hat....The Artist formerly known as ABC!
by Greg Alan Edwards on Nov 15, 2010 8:33 AM EST up reply actions
One thing..."Sources" say that Mitch is concerned
“for obvious reasons” about Cal’s recruiting methods? Is Brooks reputable? (I have no idea).
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
SbB
They’ve been around for a while (at least a few years) and I think they’ve got a pretty decent track record at sniffing these things out. It will be interesting to see what happens.
With no “insider info” or anything like that, I get the feeling that Mitch and Cal don’t get along at all and Cal’s got more pull now and is definitely more popular, so Mitch is probably happy to get away. Especially if he’ll be making nearly 10 times what he currently does…
by wildcatfaninexile on Nov 15, 2010 10:32 AM EST up reply actions
Highly doubt it. Scott Stricklin (MSU AD) comes to mind, but he's from Missississippi and
might like the idea of staying home.
Great minds think a like.
Had the same thought that Stircklin might be high on UK short list. So might Greg Byrne who was at Oregon and UK before taking AD jobs at Miss St. and then his native Arizona. Wood Selig did a great job at WKU before going to Old Dominion. The biggest challenge a new AD would have is upgrading facilities so you might look towards people who have done that successfully.
by Thomas Hunt Morgan on Nov 15, 2010 9:45 AM EST up reply actions
Rich Brooks
Hasn’t left town yet, Mr. “old school clean” and is a hero of the football program. His no BS style and clean rep would provide cover over Cal and his football roots will play well to those 4 (and 5) star kids on the trail.
That’s my pick.
Changing how you think will change what you think.
I don't know how comfortable I am with the Calipari parts of that article
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
yeah, my thoughts too
I thought the Cal criticisms were just from the jealous ones… i feel a little green around the gills at the thought of there being real questions here.
if his methods really are questionable, then it is only a matter of time… which will either promote you or expose you.
by StillCatwoman on Nov 15, 2010 10:25 AM EST up reply actions
Which parts are you uncomfortable with, chirop?
.
The part where “a source” tells the author:
Barnhart’s concerned, for obvious reasons, that the recruiting methods of John Calipari may soon begin to reflect poorly on the school and his own reputation.Which of Coach Cal’s “methods” are you most concerned with?
.
Or is the part where the author writes:
… by no means am I implying that Barnhart is attempting to escape UK before the school’s basketball program encounters NCAA sanctions. That’s not the case. This is more a function of Barnhart tiring of the constant sparring with the NCAA and negative media coverage that inevitably follows John Calipari wherever he goes.So our AD is wanting to escape a little heat brought on by… media guys…? You mean like Thamel and Forde? Or Tipton?
Really?
Fine by me. I wish him well in Kansas if he gets the job.
-- Tim
That is why I asked if he was reputable HS.
Is he jealous shooting like some media guys?
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
I think he is reputable, a2
.
As a matter of fact, he does go out of his way to write that he is not predicting some sort of impending doom that is about to hit the university.
I think he is reputable, but even at that there is nothing here that we haven’t seen speculated on 1,000 times or more. I am actually more disappointed in the “source”.
If some source has commentary on Coach Cal “methods” of recruiting then throw us a bone and name one or two of those methods.
And if an AD can be run off by media guys then… oh well.
Coach Cal is the man. Go Blue!
-- Tim
HSLex
Agree again. Throw us a bone……the media a fish. Arp. Arp. Arp. (My best rendition of a seal from the keyboard)
We're as good as the best,
and better than the rest.
Happy days are here again,
The skies are Wildcat blue again,
We have the best recruits again,
Happy days are here again!
Goodbye Enes. We love you.
Mabye there's an outside chance
that you will win the appeal.
a2d2
I know your comment is directed to HS but given the track record of the general media it’s hard to tell what their motive
is. Except dark and deep. Also the media needs to aim a little straighter. Me thinks. LOL
We're as good as the best,
and better than the rest.
Happy days are here again,
The skies are Wildcat blue again,
We have the best recruits again,
Happy days are here again!
Goodbye Enes. We love you.
Mabye there's an outside chance
that you will win the appeal.
HSLex
Pragmatic and logical points, HS. I tend to support your comments although others make some well founded observations.
We're as good as the best,
and better than the rest.
Happy days are here again,
The skies are Wildcat blue again,
We have the best recruits again,
Happy days are here again!
Goodbye Enes. We love you.
Mabye there's an outside chance
that you will win the appeal.
SbB is editorializing that part, or his sources are.
Trust me.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
chirop
But sir, why would he be uncomfortable with how Cal is running the program? I reiterate something I’ve said numerous times. The man has NEVER even been accused by the NCAA of ANY violations. As the old saying goes, “Close only counts in hosreshoes and hand grenades.” LOL
We're as good as the best,
and better than the rest.
Happy days are here again,
The skies are Wildcat blue again,
We have the best recruits again,
Happy days are here again!
Goodbye Enes. We love you.
Mabye there's an outside chance
that you will win the appeal.
Don't forget "nukes"!!!!
"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena . . .who spends himself for a worthy cause . . ."
Lukewarm At Best
KU fans (I have 3 alums in my immediate family), boards and WSB sports talk all show considerable ambivalence toward Barnhart and for basically two reasons:
1) the acceptance of the perception that Calipari is a loose cannon and a NCAA infraction waiting to happen plus the hiring of Gillispie, and,
2) that Barnhart is willing to accept mediocrity in the football program.
Additionally there is a concern for Barnhart’s perceived emphasis on non-revenue sports to the detriment of FB and men’s BB.
A personal question concerns Dr. Todd’s departure and its effect on Barnhart’s decision as well as the search procedure for an AD replacement should it be necessary.
"I bring reason to your ears, and, in language as plain as ABC, hold up truth to your eyes." Thomas Paine, December 23, 1776
Kansas has all of the same issues with their program we have had in the past.
Barnhart has addressed all of those issues here in spades. Kansas would be stupid not to hire him if they can get him.
His plusses far outweigh his minuses.
I am now and forever shall be The Cat In The Hat....The Artist formerly known as ABC!
by Greg Alan Edwards on Nov 15, 2010 12:34 PM EST up reply actions
Greg
That’s true too.
We're as good as the best,
and better than the rest.
Happy days are here again,
The skies are Wildcat blue again,
We have the best recruits again,
Happy days are here again!
Goodbye Enes. We love you.
Mabye there's an outside chance
that you will win the appeal.
Greg,
I am not saying that Barnhart isn’t a decent enough AD, but I think each of those 2 points that WW is reporting from the Kansas sites are valid to think about.
Point 1: The Gillispie saga speaks for itself.
Point 2: To hear Dr. Todd tell the story, the new football coach was hired years earlier at festive dinner table in Nashville (of all places) where everyone was seemingly giddy to be playing another “technically eligible” bowl.
Barnhart is not a disaster as an AD, but I can certainly see where the prospect of his hiring might muster up little more than “ambivalence” from KU fans. Seems fair enough, given the specific points cited by WW.
-- Tim
Considering their disaster as a department (athletics as a whole)
Barnhart’s mistakes pale by comparison. They don’t have the ability to nitpick anyone who has a successful background such as Barnhart’s. Whomever goes in there is probably going to have to clean house, if they have not done it already themselves. Barnhart has the ability and the pedigree…..the question they are going to have to ask themselves is, “Do we want to change?”. The same question had to be asked here a few years ago. The answer was not a popular one, but we made the right choice.
I am now and forever shall be The Cat In The Hat....The Artist formerly known as ABC!
by Greg Alan Edwards on Nov 15, 2010 1:52 PM EST up reply actions
If you take Kansas men's basketball out of the picture,
you get exactly what we have had here in the past. To steal the line from Yoda,
They must find balance……. And people that wont scalp their tickets inside the athletic department.
I am now and forever shall be The Cat In The Hat....The Artist formerly known as ABC!
by Greg Alan Edwards on Nov 15, 2010 1:58 PM EST up reply actions
Mediocrity! Manginiocraty!
Give me a break. Kansas football isn’t even in the same league as UK football and never has been, even in our worst years. The closest thing they’ve had to football success is Mark Mangino’s implosion. There are plenty of reasons not to be interested in Barnhart, but him pushing back the rebirth of the KU football juggernaut isn’t one of them.
by chicagoblues on Nov 15, 2010 3:43 PM EST up reply actions
President retiring next June and now Mitch is interviewing for the Kansas job? Mabye it’s the Kansas colors. LOL
We're as good as the best,
and better than the rest.
Happy days are here again,
The skies are Wildcat blue again,
We have the best recruits again,
Happy days are here again!
Goodbye Enes. We love you.
Mabye there's an outside chance
that you will win the appeal.
Or
Maybe Lee Todd was the only one at UK Mitch got along with….no inside info, just throwing it out there.
Then it comes to be that the soothing light at the end of your tunnel, is just a freight train coming your way...
@btcoop71
hit the nail on the head...
this has GOT to be the reason, plus all those greenbacks!!!
"Every sweet has it's sour, every evil it's good."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Very good observation, bt. Hadn’t thought of that. If all of this IS true then I really do hope that we get a top notch AD. His function to all the athletic programs is vital to said programs health. Go Get’em Cats.
We're as good as the best,
and better than the rest.
Happy days are here again,
The skies are Wildcat blue again,
We have the best recruits again,
Happy days are here again!
Goodbye Enes. We love you.
Mabye there's an outside chance
that you will win the appeal.
SbB is not particularly reliable in things such as this.
Consume with care.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Message recieved. And I do trust your opinions. +1
We're as good as the best,
and better than the rest.
Happy days are here again,
The skies are Wildcat blue again,
We have the best recruits again,
Happy days are here again!
Goodbye Enes. We love you.
Mabye there's an outside chance
that you will win the appeal.
Matt Jones on his radio show today
Said Mitch Barnhardt came in 2nd about 6 months ago for an executive job with the PGA.
If true, seems as though Barnhart is trying to get out.
Then it comes to be that the soothing light at the end of your tunnel, is just a freight train coming your way...
@btcoop71
Success breeds popularity......
I am now and forever shall be The Cat In The Hat....The Artist formerly known as ABC!
by Greg Alan Edwards on Nov 15, 2010 1:52 PM EST up reply actions
Matt also talked about Barnhart's pregame comments before the Vandy game
Seems Barnhart isn’t happy with the slow pace of upgrading facilities.
All the pieces seem to come together that Barnhart isn’t happy at UK.
Then it comes to be that the soothing light at the end of your tunnel, is just a freight train coming your way...
@btcoop71
Well, to be honest, that does not surprise me.
Even the fans are not happy with the slow pace to upgrade the facilities. But considering the state’s budget crisis, and the tightness of money in today’s financial climate, I don’t think anyone would be too surprised that it has not happened sooner. If he is not happy, and he can almost double his pay, I say he should go for it. But folks had best beware, replacing him will not be easy. There are only a handful of people who can do this job, balance the basketball program’s being out of balance with the rest of athletics situation, and still get results. All of which Barnhart has been able to do.
I am now and forever shall be The Cat In The Hat....The Artist formerly known as ABC!
by Greg Alan Edwards on Nov 15, 2010 2:50 PM EST up reply actions
Greg
Excellent point. +1
We're as good as the best,
and better than the rest.
Happy days are here again,
The skies are Wildcat blue again,
We have the best recruits again,
Happy days are here again!
Goodbye Enes. We love you.
Mabye there's an outside chance
that you will win the appeal.
Barnhart has been unhappy with the progress made on
updgrading various facilities for about six years now.
Leverage
Or could he possibly be trying to leverage his way into:
a) a better contract
b) better facilities/ improvements?
Maybe he thinks that the powers that be like him enough to, in an effort to prevent him from leaving, get moving on some of the improvements he wants to make? It could be just a ploy.
by wildcatfaninexile on Nov 17, 2010 12:43 PM EST up reply actions
If Kansas doesnt take him
I hope they let him “twist in the wind” for awhile.
It is not worth an intelligent man’s time to be in the majority. By definition, there are already enough people to do that.
by kentuckygirl0724 on Nov 15, 2010 1:42 PM EST reply actions
What does that accomplish Tink?
I am now and forever shall be The Cat In The Hat....The Artist formerly known as ABC!
by Greg Alan Edwards on Nov 15, 2010 1:56 PM EST up reply actions
Just a guess
I would say that she is offering that up as “retaliation” for the way Barnhart let Gillispie dangle for a while before dropping the axe.
Which is a fair point, Barnhart has done fine with all of his minor hires… but he royally botched the two basketball transitions.
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
Certainly not
However, UK basketball is the bedrock of the athletic department at the University of Kentucky and he left Tubby swinging in the wind, only to caught off guard when Tubby jumped ship. We only know too well what transpired after that. After the debacle of the two years following Tubby’s departure he was under the gun and made a choice he may or may not have been comfortable with. He made his bed and he has to sleep in it. As far as I’m concerned he’s made more bad decisions regarding UK basketball than good decisions.
by chicagoblues on Nov 15, 2010 4:02 PM EST up reply actions
Bingo Chirop!
You know me so well! ;)
It is not worth an intelligent man’s time to be in the majority. By definition, there are already enough people to do that.
by kentuckygirl0724 on Nov 16, 2010 8:44 AM EST up reply actions
remind me never to get on your bad side....lol
I am now and forever shall be The Cat In The Hat....The Artist formerly known as ABC!
by Greg Alan Edwards on Nov 16, 2010 9:47 AM EST up reply actions
John Clay says no
http://johnclay.bloginky.com/2010/11/15/kansas-city-star-says-barnhart-not-likely-for-kansas/
Then it comes to be that the soothing light at the end of your tunnel, is just a freight train coming your way...
@btcoop71
On another note!
Our next basketball opponent features Luke Sikma,son of Jack Sikma. The greatest player to ever play for the Seattle Supersonics. He was named MVP in the tournament they just won. They are 3-0. Go Cats!
Happy Days are here again! Wildcat's have #1 recruiting class again!
Barnhart Comments
"I bring reason to your ears, and, in language as plain as ABC, hold up truth to your eyes." Thomas Paine, December 23, 1776
mitch leaving?
i think it is time for him to go because when i first heard he might be leaving i was shockingly happy… i never had much of a problem with him(except billy g) but when i was told he might leave i was like heck yea… and if he was leaving uk because of the media fire storm, id like for him to look at ku last 2 years, ticket scams, josh selby..off the court issues …but go ahead bit… i mean mitch leave
If you have "never had much of a problem" with Mitch
Why did a rumor of his leaving cause you to be “shockingly happy” resulting in okay… “time for him to go”? Did I miss something?
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
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