Kentucky football is spiraling. That is clear to anyone who has been paying attention.
Vince Marrow has bolted to Louisville. Mark Stoops is under fire from every angle. The Wildcats can’t buy an SEC win. The offense is stuck, and the defense has lost its edge. Recruits are leaving.
Fans aren’t angry anymore—they’re indifferent. The conversation has shifted to basketball, volleyball, even rugby. And yet, amid the chaos, word broke that if Mitch Barnhart wanted to make a move, the money would be there according to KSR.
The question then is: Will he do it?
A Complicated Decision
Barnhart is loyal to a fault. He rarely fires coaches and prefers stability over splash. He wanted to keep John Calipari and would have if it were up to him. But Cal read the room and did the right thing for the program and left for Arkansas. He extended Kyra Elzy after one strong run, only to buy out her contract later. He’s a cautious operator in an impatient era.
In 2022, he signed Stoops to a 9-year contract that heavily favors the coach. Firing him now would cost roughly 75% of the remaining value, not a cheap out, upwards of 40 million.
Barnhart also has personal and professional reasons to hesitate. He’s friends with Stoops. He’s nearing potential retirement himself and might not want to saddle a successor with his final decision. He’s also focused on a proposed $40 million entertainment district near Kroger Field—a project that would be dented by a massive buyout.
The likely outcome
As it stands, the most likely scenario is this: Bush Hamdan is fired after the season. Stoops survives, at least through 2026. Kentucky starts again, with another offensive coordinator.
Unless the fans stop showing up. If Kroger Field goes quiet and ticket revenue plummets, not even Mitch Barnhart's loyalty can save this era of Kentucky football. In the end, the fans may have the final say.
Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time he enjoys downtime with his family and Premier League soccer. You can find him on X here. Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion