Mitch Barnhart has been the steady hand guiding Kentucky Athletics since 2002. But with reports from Pete Thamel confirming the 66-year-old is preparing to step down, the attention in Lexington has immediately shifted to the future.
The next leader of the UK Athletics Department won't just be managing games; they’ll be navigating a professionalized era of NIL, revenue sharing, and a rapidly shifting SEC landscape. As the search begins, these are the three names at the top of the list.
1. DeWayne Peevy: The proven returner
The name most familiar to Big Blue Nation is DeWayne Peevy. After 12 years at Kentucky, seven as the Deputy AD, Peevy left for DePaul in 2020 to prove he could run his own shop.
His tenure in Chicago has been a masterclass in modernization. Peevy launched the "DREAM BIG" strategic plan, shattered fundraising records with over $8.8 million raised in 2025 alone, and secured a $60 million on-campus practice facility. He has been at the forefront of NIL innovation, creating interdisciplinary partnerships that have made DePaul a leader in the space. If Kentucky wants a "proven" sitting AD who already understands the local media and donor landscape, Peevy is the primary target.
2. Marc Hill: The internal successor
If President Eli Capilouto chooses continuity, Marc Hill is the clear favorite. Now in his 27th year at the University of Kentucky, Hill has served as Barnhart’s right-hand man and Deputy Director of Athletics since 2019.
Hill is the architect behind the physical transformation of UK’s campus. He oversaw the $130 million football stadium renovation, the $49 million baseball stadium project, and most recently, the $85 million renovation of Memorial Coliseum. Having managed everything from capital projects to internal business operations, Hill knows the "nuts and bolts" of the department better than anyone.
If I were a betting man, he is who I would put my money on.
3. Rachel Newman-Baker: The strategic insider
In an era where compliance and NIL strategy are the most critical parts of the job, Rachel Newman-Baker is a powerhouse candidate. A former NCAA managing director of enforcement, she joined Kentucky in 2013 and has become a trusted confidant of Barnhart. Her deep understanding of the regulatory framework and her leadership in the NIL space make her a "tactical" choice for a department looking to avoid the "rough patches" that have recently hit the major sports.
The dark horse: Tony Neely
Keep an eye on Tony Neely, the Assistant AD for Athletics Communications. Having spent over 30 years with the university, Neely is a Hall of Fame communicator who has built iron-clad relationships with the media and the donor base. While he may be a "dark horse," his deep institutional knowledge and popularity make him a respected voice in this transition.
The Mitch Era was defined by broad-based success and stability. The next era will be defined by innovation and aggression in the NIL market. Whether Kentucky chooses the internal stability of Marc Hill or the proven external growth of DeWayne Peevy, the stakes for this hire have never been higher.