University of Kentucky: It’s a Great Day To Be a Wildcat

“It’s a great day to be Wildcat.”

Dec 2, 2012; Lexington , KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops spoke to reporters during a press conference at the Nutter Field House. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

That was the common theme on Twitter when, on Friday, May 10, Drew Barker announced that he was committing to the University of Kentucky to play football. And, I assume, the sentiment will be the same if Andrew Wiggins decides that he, too, wants to put on the Blue and White. There’s no doubt that getting high quality recruits to commit to Kentucky is a big deal, but…

Isn’t everyday a great day to be a Wildcat?

Mitch Barnhart, the Athletic Director at the University of Kentucky, has had some missteps during his tenure. Most notably hiring Billy Gillispie to coach Men’s Basketball and, in retrospect, his handling of the Rich Brooks to Joker Phillips transition leading the Football team. But Barnhart has followed both of those miscues with homerun hires. First, there is John Calipari. I’m not sure there’s a better fit between coach/school/program in the nation. He both understands and accepts the pressure that comes with leading the most storied program in college basketball. And then, there’s the newly hired head football coach, Mark Stoops.

Coach Stoops hasn’t coached a game for the Wildcats yet, but he’s done something that not many folks in the Big Blue Nation thought possible: he’s given us hope.  The staff that Coach Stoops has assembled have brought intensity and passion to a program that has been lacking in both qualities for most of the last 75 years.  In barely one recruiting season, the new staff has made a dent in the college football landscape that a basketball school, coming off a 2-10 campaign shouldn’t be able to do. Why? Because they believe in what they’re doing. They believe in their plan. They believe in the kids that they’re recruiting. And everyone, even the most skeptical amongst the fan base, can realistically start to believe that football success is just on the horizon.

Mar 26, 2013; Queens, NY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Matthew Mitchell reacts during the second half against the Dayton Flyers during the second round of the 2013 NCAA womens basketball tournament at Carnesecca Arena. Kentucky won 84-70. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

And it’s not just the marquee sports that have improved or are set to improve under Mitch Barnhardt’s watch.  The women’s basketball team has reached a point where three straight Elite Eight appearances are considered disappointing.  The UK cheerleaders continue their dominance as does the rifle team. In fact, every team in the athletic department have had their best seasons since Barnhart has taken over.  So, no matter the season, it’s always a great day to be Wildcat.

Now, I understand that the University of Louisville has had a pretty nice run the last few months, with a Sugar Bowl victory, a national runner-up women’s basketball team and, of course, the men’s basketball team winning its third national championship. Not to take anything away from the Cards, BUT (I have to use all caps here) you ain’t seen nothing yet.