Kentucky's Mitch Barnhart, longest tenured Power Four athletic director, set to retire in June
CBS Sports
by
Will Backus
March 3, 2026
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Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart, the longest-tenured FBS athletic director in college sports history, will retire from his position in June after 24 years at the helm of the Wildcats' program. Barnhart’s retirement comes despite a contract extension signed in 2023 that initially kept him in the role until June 2028. He plans to transition into a new initiative with the university called the UK Sport and Workforce Initiative, which will allow him to continue contributing to the program in a different capacity.
Barnhart’s tenure has been marked by significant achievements, including six NCAA championships and 60 regular-season and conference tournament titles across various sports. He played a pivotal role in hiring two of Kentucky’s most iconic coaches: men’s basketball coach John Calipari in 2009 and football coach Mark Stoops in 2013. Under Barnhart’s leadership, the Wildcats’ basketball program has seen one national title (2012) and three Final Four appearances under Calipari, while the football team achieved eight consecutive bowl game appearances under Stoops, including a record-breaking 72 wins overall.
Barnhart’s influence extends beyond Kentucky. Several individuals who worked under him have gone on to become athletic directors at other major programs, including Alabama’s Greg Byrne and Auburn’s John Cohen. Barnhart’s legacy is not just about his administrative success but also about fostering a pipeline of future leaders in college athletics.
This retirement marks the end of an era for Kentucky sports, as Barnhart’s leadership has shaped the program into one of the most successful in the nation. His departure raises questions about how the Wildcats will maintain
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Originally published on CBS Sports on 3/3/2026