{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"March 5, 2026 - UK President Eli Capilouto and outgoing AD Mitch Barnhart","description":" LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 5, 2026) \u2013 University of Kentucky Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart will retire from his role at the end of June after nearly 24 years leading Kentucky Athletics, UK President Eli Capilouto announced Tuesday. Barnhart will remain at UK in a new role focused on the future of sports and workforce development. This week\u2019s episode of \u2018Behind the Blue\u2019 features a conversation with Capilouto and Barnhart, recorded just before the announcement. The two reflect on Barnhart\u2019s leadership, the transformation of Kentucky Athletics during his tenure, and what comes next for both Barnhart and the university. Capilouto said Barnhart\u2019s legacy is defined not only by competitive success, but by a commitment to doing things the right way \u2014 creating a culture of excellence, integrity and student support that strengthened the university and its connection to the Commonwealth. Under Barnhart\u2019s leadership, UK has won six NCAA team championships and achieved more than 60 conference or conference tournament titles, while also emphasizing academic achievement for student-athletes. Barnhart has also played a significant leadership role nationally, including service on the College Football Playoff Committee and chairing the NCAA Men\u2019s Basketball Committee during the COVID era. Following his retirement as athletics director, Barnhart will become the first executive-in-residence of the UK Sport and Workforce Initiative, a new effort designed to prepare students and professionals for leadership across the evolving sports industry. Capilouto said additional details about the initiative will be announced in the coming weeks, and he plans to conduct a listening tour as UK begins its search for the next athletics director. On this episode, Barnhart and Capilouto also discuss the personal elements of Barnhart\u2019s decision \u2014 including family, faith, and what Barnhart describes as the importance of \u201cpassing the baton\u201d at the right time \u2014 while expressing gratitude for the people and community that shaped his years at Kentucky. \u2018Behind the Blue\u2019 is available via a variety of podcast providers, including Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Spotify. Subscribe to receive new episodes each week, featuring UK\u2019s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists, writers and the most important news impacting the university.  \u2018Behind the Blue\u2019 is a production of the University of Kentucky. Transcripts for most episodes are now embedded in the audio file and can be accessed in many podcast apps during playback. Transcripts for older episodes remain available on the show\u2019s blog page.  To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here. This interview has been edited for time and clarity. ","author_name":"Behind the Blue","author_url":"http:\/\/behindtheblue.libsyn.com\/podcast","html":"