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Mark Stoops and Mitch Barnhart Voice Frustration at Calipari’s Comments

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4 years ago

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UK Athletics

On Thursday, an interview with John Calipari caused quite a stir.

In the interview, Cal mentioned two things: One, that Kentucky is a “basketball school”, which Mark Stoops and Co took offense to; Second, that he is willing to go over Mitch Barnhart and raise the money himself to build a new practice facility.

Most of us expected a de-escalation in today’s press conference, but that was not the case. Stoops noted that he and Calipari have yet to talk since Calipari’s original comments and had some strong words to say.

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To follow, Barnhart expressed his frustration at the situation as well, seemingly taking some shots at Calipari and said that the practice facility is not on the agenda. However, he seemed even more frustrated at other schools in the SEC taking shots at Kentucky.

Let’s take a look at some of the quotes from today’s press conference.

“I don’t care about anyone’s program or other’s that we compete against, I stay in my lane. But when you start talking about mine, and people I compete against, I’m going to defend my players… Don’t demean or distract from what we’ve done to get to this point. I don’t need to apologize for that and I won’t.”
– Mark Stoops

“No disrespect, I’m not concerned about anybody’s feelings outside of that building.”
– Mark Stoops

“Some may, but this program didn’t wake up on third base.”
– Mark Stoops

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“That’s in defense of my players, in defense of the work that we’ve done.”
– Mark Stoops on why he tweeted a response to Calipari’s quote.

“I’m done. I’ve addressed it. I will defend my players.”
– Mark Stoops on not talking to Calipari yet.

“This is my norm. I will keep the details of the family business and private conversations within the family. Comments in a new interview, created in my judgement an unproductive and unfortunate situation.”
– Mitch Barnhart

“I have talked to both coaches and they’re extremely competitive and that’s what I want them to be. I’m glad they’re competitive”
– Mitch Barnhart

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“Adults are supposed to teach the children”.
– Mitch Barnhart

“We are not a basketball school. We are not a football school… We are a school with an outstanding athletic department. We are an “all everything” school.”
– Mitch Barnhart

“The desire for more should be met with a sense of gratitude.”
– Mitch Barnhart

“The Craft Center continues to be a state of the art facility. There’s a process and we will work through that process… It’s not a project in our strategic plan.”
– Mitch Barnhart

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“They will talk at the appropriate time when Calipari gets back from the Bahamas… They are both iconic people at at our program and I will anticpate them to handle that like pros.”
– Mitch Barnhart

“We will be a grateful (athletic) department. We will not be entitled.”
– Mitch Barnhart seemingly directed at John Calipari

“I’m not real thrilled at where we are. Grown ups are going to have to figure this out and be a little better. Sometimes when you get a little bit of success, you get a little entitled. We will be a grateful (athletic) department. We will not be entitled… I will teach it that way in my end.
– Mitch Barnhart

“I hear a lot of our ‘friends’ in the conference talking about how “the Cats are fighting”. Awesome, thats really good. How many coaches have your turned over in your group? Let’s check their rosters. I will put our longevity and sucess against just about anybody’s.”
– Mitch Barnhart

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In the end, I am not sure today’s press conference was a net positive.

  • The Calipari – Stoops tension is very much still there.
  • Barnhart angered and put blame on the media for this situation by saying, “You look to create stories, and it becomes the fact.”
  • Barnhart indirectly calls Cal “entitled” and says a new practice facility is not on the agenda.
  • Takes shots at other schools in the SEC.

For what it’s worth, here’s Calipari’s response to what happened today.

Also published by Tristan Pharis on A Sea of Blue.

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Kalen DeBoer Previews Will Stein’s Wildcats Ahead of First SEC Matchup of the Season

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36 minutes ago

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September 9, 2026

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Photo via Getty Images

In a press conference on Monday, Alabama’s head coach Kalen DeBoer had many great things to say about this year’s Kentucky Wildcats and Will Stein.

DeBoer’s press conference started with a question about Kentucky runningback CJ Baxter. He described him as “a really solid back” and “explosive.” In the season opener against Youngstown State, Baxter scored two touchdowns with 48 rushing yards.

Coach DeBoer described Kentucky’s opening matchup as “not contested for very long,” assuming that Stein and the Cats held back during the first game and, as expected, will show off some new plays on both sides of the ball this weekend.

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Afterwards, he was asked how he has prepared so far, about to play against a program with so much hype surrounding it, answering with coach talk.

“What are you preparing for? Week two SEC game, that’s an interesting thing,” DeBoer said. “Can’t say I’ve played too many conference games this early in the year. Doesn’t matter, it’s on the schedule, we gotta be ready to go.”

Aside from that, DeBoer kept it brief and professional, not diving into too much detail about this bout with the new-look Wildcats.

Stein spoke with great optimism in his pre-Alabama press conference, where he called for the Big Blue Nation to make this “the loudest game in the history of Kentucky Football.” When asked about how emotion will play a factor in the upcoming contest, Stein said “emotion gets you beat” and believes that as long as the Wildcats play each play with maximum intensity, Lexington will see very positive results this Saturday.

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Kickoff from Kroger Field is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET and will air live on ABC on Sept. 12, with both “SEC Nation” and “Marty & McGee” on-site before the week two matchup.

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Will Stein Confirms Entire Roster Will Be Healthy For Alabama Game

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23 hours ago

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September 8, 2026

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Photo via UK Athletics

It always sucks when you can’t have some of your best players out on the field, but that won’t be the case any longer, as Kentucky’s Will Stein confirmed on Tuesday, Sept. 8 that the entire roster will be healthy heading into the team’s matchup with No. 13 Alabama.

“Just a little recap after this past Saturday, (we) came out healthy, which is good,” Stein said. “I’m expecting us to be at full-strength for this game, which is really exciting as well for us as a team.”

Straight forward as ever, this means that the Big Blue Nation will get to see some new faces make their debuts with the Wildcats against the Crimson Tide.

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On Sept. 5, Kentucky missed out on Oklahoma transfer running back Jovantae Barnes, who certainly will get a huge workload alongside CJ Baxter and Jason Patterson. Stein has been vocal about how important depth is and this addition does nothing but help that case.

The new-look Wildcats also played without both starting cornerbacks Hasaan Sykes and Terhyon Nichols, making the fans who criticized the secondary a little happier now that they’ll be playing in week two.

Starting offensive tackle Malachi Wood didn’t get the nod to play as well, yet another body that can be added to the Big Blue Wall this coming Saturday.

Of course, history is not on the Wildcats’ side, as they haven’t took down the Crimson Tide since 1997, when Stein was around eight years old for reference. This time around, Stein is the head coach and his team is ready to rock and roll at 100% roster health.

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Kickoff on Saturday, Sept. 12 is set for 3:30 p.m. ET from Kroger Field, streaming live on ABC.

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16 Former Kentucky Wildcats Make Initial 53-Man NFL Roster

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2 days ago

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September 7, 2026

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Photo via Getty Images

With the National Football League (NFL) season days away, numerous Kentucky Wildcat alumni have made the initial 53 man roster for their respective teams. Here’s who Kentucky fans will be watching this season.

Atlanta Falcons

EDGE Za’Darius Smith was named to the Falcons’ initial 53 man roster after stepping away during the 2025 season. Originally with the Philadelphia Eagles, he chose to be with his family after the heartbreaking loss of his mother.

The three-time pro bowler has come back to the NFL and signed with the Atlanta Falcons after sharing that his mom always wanted him to end up in Atlanta.

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Buffalo Bills

CB Maxwell Hairston, RB Ray Davis and DL Deone Walker were all named to the Buffalo Bills initial roster. “Mad Max” Hairston, the 30th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, struggled in the NFL preseason, but Bills general manager, Brandon Beane, still has faith in Hairston as he enters his second season in the NFL.

“He had his eyes in the wrong spot, he didn’t bring his feet,” Beane said. “Like there’s a couple technique things. It’s not easy, but he’ll do that. But from everything else, we have a lot of confidence in him.”

With a standout collegiate career with the Wildcats, fans are hoping to see “Mad Max” back on the field with the confidence they know he has.

Carolina Panthers

OL Luke Fortner made the initial roster despite a somewhat concerning preseason, noting that he seemed a step behind. After his outing against Buffalo, he received a low 44.1 overall grade from Pro Football Focus (PFF) across 10 snaps.

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Green Bay Packers

CB Carrington Valentine and OL Jager Burton made the cut for the initial 53 man roster with Burton entering his rookie season. He was selected in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL draft.

Indianapolis Colts

OL Jalen Farmer and RB Seth McGowan were named to the initial roster, with McGowan earning his spot as the primary backup back behind Jonathan Taylor.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Both EDGE Josh Hines-Allen and RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. were named to the Jaguars initial 53 man roster. Hines-Allen is listed as a core defensive end/EDGE and is a large part of their defensive foundation.

Los Angeles Chargers

Veteran EDGE Bud Dupree is entering his 12th NFL season and third with the Chargers. He did not see the field for the preseason, but despite rumors that he would not make the roster, he secured his spot.

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New Orleans Saints

Rookie WR Barion Brown made the roster after showing a strong performance in the NFL preseason and training camp. He was selected in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL draft after his three seasons at Kentucky and one season at LSU.

New York Giants

CB Dru Phillips was named to the 53 man roster despite a mild right knee sprain during training camp. He missed the early preseason games, but once he returned, he made a strong impact with three solo tackles and two forced fumbles.

Pittsburgh Steelers

CB Brandin Echols made the roster after suffering an ankle injury in training camp. He returned for the final preseason game and ended on a high note after recovering a muffed punt that led to a Steelers touchdown against the Buffalo Bills.

Tennessee Titans

WR Wan’Dale Robinson made the 53 man roster and is expected to operate as the Titans starting slot receiver.

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