Mark Pope shares gratitude for Mitch Barnhart after Kentucky AD announces retirement
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Mark Pope reacted to Tuesday’s big news by sharing appreciation for the man who made him the head coach of his alma mater.
Following the announcement that Mitch Barnhart is retiring after 24 years as the University of Kentucky’s athletic director, Pope took to social media to share his thoughts. Barnhart hired Pope ahead of the 2024-25 season.
Words alone can't express how grateful I am for Mitch Barnhart. For his faith, friendship and leadership at Kentucky, and for the impact he’s had across college athletics, which has been transformational. For sure I'm sad to see him step away at year’s end, but incredibly… pic.twitter.com/TJzoQIUf0Q
— Mark Pope (@CoachMarkPope) March 3, 2026
As Pope mentioned, Barnhart isn’t leaving Lexington. In Tuesday’s official announcement from the University of Kentucky, UK President Dr. Eli Capilouto shared that Barnhart will be the first executive-in-residence of the UK Sport and Workforce Initiative. Capilouto added that more details will be announced in the coming weeks on the initiative.
Pope, 53, played at Kentucky from 1994-96. After a professional playing career, he got into coaching. At BYU, Pope was 110-52 before landing the UK job. He guided the Wildcats to the Sweet 16 last season and has Kentucky at 17-10 entering Tuesday’s game against Texas A&M.
Can Pope’s Cats make it 3 in a row? Prediction market Kalshi is taking action on the game.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
