Mitch Barnhart Statement on X
- Thread starter USN Goblin
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John Calipari is leaving Kentucky. Calipari confirmed Tuesday that he was “stepping away from the program,” though he did not say what the next step in his career would be. He is expected to be named the head coach at Arkansas on Tuesday, less than three weeks after the Wildcats were upset by 14-seeded Oakland in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, the latest in a string of postseason losses that ultimately led to the departure of one of the most celebrated figures in the history of UK’s storied program. “This is a dream job. It was my dream job,” Calipari said in a message posted to social media Tuesday afternoon.
Read more at: https://www.kentucky.com/sports/col...tball-men/article287473020.html#storylink=cpy
Read more at: https://www.kentucky.com/sports/col...tball-men/article287473020.html#storylink=cpy
Interesting subtweet: embracing the importance of the program to our fans and the state.
I love the subtle shot Barnhart gave at Calipari in the subtweet.
That wasn't very subtle...
Barnhart has done well this week handling Cal.
Sounds like it's official now. So pedal to the metal. Lets reel in a big fish.
I'd like to think there's a brink's truck circling Hurley's neighborhood.
Will Hurley embrace the importance? Not so sure he would. Sounds like his wife is pure New Jersey / "back east". And he's already mentioned getting to the Knicks and this dynasty at UCONN. Give it one more year and then hope he can take on the NBA is my guess. WILL HE SAY YES: NOPE.
How about Drew? Meh, it's not like Baylor will ever overtake TEXAS or A&M as the favorite college in the state. They're all football anyway. And personally I think Drew would not be excited about the pressure at Kentucky. WILL HE SAY YES: NOPE.
Oats: He should know, and it would be quite the shun to our Blue Blood egos if he was offered Calipari money but still said nope, he's staying at Bama. WILL HE SAY YES: 50/50
Donovan - He knows, he lived it for 5 years and then coached against it for a few more. WILL HE SAY YES: 20/80
Pearl - we really don't have to say much here. Pearl knows. WILL HE SAY YES: HELL YES
Beard - he just went through a train wreck experience at Texas, but I think he is a winner and fully understands the demands of a program like Kentucky. WILL HE SAY YES: 80/20
Smart - he's full of energy and seems to do very well in his first 3-4 years at each stop, then starts to decline. Not one of my favorite choices, but I'd welcome him and see what he could do. WILL HE SAY YES: HELL YES
Pitino - definitely knows the fans and the program, but is 100 years old and has TONS of baggage. Mitch won't even approach the guy, nor will his committee. However, for the sake of making sure we cover all bases: WILL HE SAY YES: HELL YES
How about Drew? Meh, it's not like Baylor will ever overtake TEXAS or A&M as the favorite college in the state. They're all football anyway. And personally I think Drew would not be excited about the pressure at Kentucky. WILL HE SAY YES: NOPE.
Oats: He should know, and it would be quite the shun to our Blue Blood egos if he was offered Calipari money but still said nope, he's staying at Bama. WILL HE SAY YES: 50/50
Donovan - He knows, he lived it for 5 years and then coached against it for a few more. WILL HE SAY YES: 20/80
Pearl - we really don't have to say much here. Pearl knows. WILL HE SAY YES: HELL YES
Beard - he just went through a train wreck experience at Texas, but I think he is a winner and fully understands the demands of a program like Kentucky. WILL HE SAY YES: 80/20
Smart - he's full of energy and seems to do very well in his first 3-4 years at each stop, then starts to decline. Not one of my favorite choices, but I'd welcome him and see what he could do. WILL HE SAY YES: HELL YES
Pitino - definitely knows the fans and the program, but is 100 years old and has TONS of baggage. Mitch won't even approach the guy, nor will his committee. However, for the sake of making sure we cover all bases: WILL HE SAY YES: HELL YES
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I have to admit Mitch handled this perfectly since the off season.
Let's see who he hires. What has happened so far is of zero consequence compared to the hire.
This may be an unpopular opinion, but I think Bruce Pearl would absolutely KILL it at UK.
Mitch's reply was pretty cold. A very brief acknowledgement of Cal and then quickly on to bigger and better things. Mitch has really redeemed himself a ton in the last few days.
I think you have this fairly close although I think there's a slight chance on Hurley and a good chance on Drew. Everything else I agree with.
Listen, if Mitch can make the home run hire after what he did with the football and wbb programs, he will enter legendary status, and all the hate (some from me) will be long gone.
Smart is yesterday’s news. No way.
No it’s not. Regardless who we get, it was time for cal to go. It really should not be up for discussion with all that we now know. I think there are really only 2-3 people in the world you would be happy with and if it’s not one of them you will be throwing shade at the hire and how we should have stuck with cal (who royally sucks!!!))))
Id take beard or pearl over drew
Yeah, sometimes doing absolutely nothing can really make you look like you knew exactly what you were doing.
I know when I need a man of action to sit down quietly and wait, Mitch Barnhart is the first name that comes to my mind.
FWIW, I'd bet a fat stack right now that it's Drew.
I think the only way it's not Drew is if Hurley surprises us.
I didn't think Ole' Mitch had it in him. That type of messaging is how churchy WASPy folks put in a dagger and twist. I am hoping he takes care of business and knocks it out of the ballpark. The fans and the state need it after the way things have gone the last four years.
He will never be considered. Don’t know why some are so enamored with him.
I'm not, I just mentioned him above as someone with energy who has already been brought up and would understand the program's value to the state and fans. He's very low on my list. In fact, I'd have to begrudgingly say I'd opt for Drew if there were only two left on the "ask" list and one being Smart.
Mitch has a history of screwing this up. With no homerun hire he will be blamed and will be shown the door if he screws this up. Drew is not a homerun hire
Drew will be an excellent hire if it happens. You simply cannot do what he’s done in Waco f’n Texas and fail at UK. Unreal people don’t get this. He would have already taken a great job but he’s only going to go to two, Kansas or Kentucky. Duke and UNC don’t open outside the family. There’s nowhere else; he is ready for it.
The guy has a top class coming in, wins recruiting wars against Duke and UK AT WACO, is an excellent X’s and O’s coach who would have two titles at the worst power 5 program in history. He also tears the portal up and molds teams excellently.
The hell he wouldn’t be a home run hire. His name to this point isn’t home run because of where he’s been. I think even though I’d ask Donovan first, he would probably be better nowadays and win quicker. But obviously you have to take Billy.
Sht needs to stop. He’s Bill Self before Kansas with a worse program and WAY more accomplishments.
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Absolute stupidity. Makes no sense it’s just made up drivel. Read the post above yours. Billy Gillispie dear lord, literally nothing similar about the two lol.
Drew is a top 5 coach in college basketball maybe higher and without a real program. It’s all he’s lacking for battling for the top spot.
Oats is the most overrated name out there, streaky, but you’d probably be okay with him. It’s just ridiculous.
Gillispie? What nonsense.
take out the championship year and he loses 14 games a year and loses in the first or second round pretty much every time. why would anyone want this.
It’s just utter stupidity. And it can’t be defended by the record. Scott Drew is prime for a job like this. Anyone who thinks otherwise doesn’t know a thing about it. Baylor was an absolute nasty program without a prayer and he turned them into a power. You give him the Kentucky name and he’d win more than Calipari has.
Laughing at it only makes it worse for yourself. And if he becomes the coach you’ll see quickly as he puts a top 5-10 team on the floor pre season year 1.