Mitch Barnhart shares goodbye message as his tenure in Lexington is officially over
· Yahoo Sports
Once the clock struck midnight and became June 30, it became Mitch Barnhart’s last day as the University of Kentucky’s athletic director.
Barnhart has now wrapped up a 24-year run in that position. He had a tremendous career in Lexington and will be remembered as one of the most impactful people in the athletic program’s history for this school for the rest of time.
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Barnhart’s time at Kentucky included six NCAA championships, 63-regular season and tournament conference championships, and many great finishes in the Directors’ Cup (An annual award given to the most successful athletic departments), finishing as high as ninth in 2021-22.
Depending on who you talk to, you will hear many different opinions on Mitch Barnhart. Some will point to some lows, some will point to the many highs, but overall, he deserves to be praised in the end.
Barnhart shared words of gratitude this evening on Twitter/X, one of his social media platforms, as a final goodbye to Big Blue Nation and others.
From the bottom of our hearts, Connie and I want to thank everyone who has reached out over the past few months and days. We're overwhelmed with gratitude. The last 24 years serving at the @universityofky have been the honor of our lives. 💙🙏
— Mitch Barnhart (@UKMitchBarnhart) June 30, 2026
We're so appreciative of the fans, student-athletes, coaches and staff who we have gotten to work with. 💙🙏
— Mitch Barnhart (@UKMitchBarnhart) June 30, 2026
Thankful to be able to compete and journey with them through the peaks and valleys. We look forward to cheering on the Wildcats as part of Big Blue Nation for years to come. Go Cats!
— Mitch Barnhart (@UKMitchBarnhart) June 30, 2026
🙏🙏🙏💙💙💙💙💙💙🙏🙏🙏
As Barnhart stated in the tweets, there were certainly “peaks and valleys”, but this job serving as the athletic director at the University of Kentucky has been “the honor of our lives”. Barnhart also stated that he and his wife “look forward to cheering on the Wildcats as part of Big Blue Nation for years to come.”
Some of the athletic programs’ social media pages shared a post with today being Barnhart’s final day:
For all the wins, championships, memories, and endless support, unwavering belief in UK Men’s Basketball, and an amazing 24-year run, thank you, Mr. Barnhart. 💙 pic.twitter.com/uhvWlfVlEc
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) June 30, 2026
Thank you, Mr. Barnhart, for your tireless dedication to the Big Blue Nation and for leaving Kentucky Athletics stronger than you found it. Congratulations on an extraordinary career, and best wishes in retirement. pic.twitter.com/qdjWtBP6l7
— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) June 30, 2026
A legacy defined by dedicated leadership, unwavering commitment and a love for Kentucky. Thank you, Mr. Barnhart, for everything you’ve meant to this university!💙#WeAreUK x #BBNpic.twitter.com/OpJrqcfXB3
— Kentucky Volleyball (@KentuckyVB) June 30, 2026
The impact of great leadership is measured in the people it empowers.
— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) June 30, 2026
Thank you, Mr. Barnhart, for 24 years of supporting Kentucky Women’s Basketball and helping build a foundation that will last for years to come. 💙 pic.twitter.com/TVf4ARfVXX
As Kentucky now enters a new era of athletics, with a new football coach, a new athletic director, and many other moving parts behind the scenes, we should reflect on what we witnessed over the last 24 years, thanks to Mitch Barnhart. He has done an unbelievable job turning Kentucky into an “everything school” instead of simply a basketball school, then everything else, while still maintaining great success in basketball.
Hats off, Mitch! Best wishes as you go into retirement!