Mitch Barnhart on Mark Pope hire: 'It's time for us to find our way back'

Kentucky introduced new head coach Mark Pope in a fashion that only the Big Blue Nation can, with a packed arena and something more closely remembering a rock concert than a press conference.

And athletics director Mitch Barnhart riled up the Kentucky faithful with a chilling introduction of Pope.

He began by hitting on what everybody at Kentucky has been thinking: Things just haven’t been good enough of late. So while former coach John Calipari walked on his own, make no mistake about it, Kentucky demands better.

And Barnhart hopes Pope is the man to deliver.

“There’s an old song from the ’70s, it’s by Jefferson Starship,” Barnhart began. “I date myself. It’s called ‘Find Your Way Back.’ It’s time for us to find our way back.”

Barnhart paused as an arena packed to the gills roared its approval.

“To do that, you need a guy,” Barnhart continued. “You have to have somebody that’s been on the journey before and knows the way, the work, the challenges and eventually the beauty of the destination. To understand the heart of this special place. And we have such a person today.”

Pope will walk into a job where he knows the expectations are to hang banners. He admitted as much after taking the stage following Barnhart’s introductory remarks.

But actually producing such results won’t come easy. The SEC is as competitive as it has ever been, perhaps part of the reason for Calipari’s stagnation in the first place.

Barnhart is convinced he’s got the guy, and he outlined exactly why.

“We have a letterman, check the box,” he said. “We have a captain, check the box. We have a champion, check the box. We’ve got a guy that understands the professional game, check the box. We’ve got a scholar. I have never hired a Rhodes Scholar candidate in my life, check the box. Most of all we have an amazing husband, father and coach, check three boxes.”

The goal for Barnhart is clear. Pope has to get Kentucky back to its perch atop college basketball.

Importantly, he needs to do it in a way that connects with the fans and reunites the fanbase. A former Kentucky player and national champion with the Wildcats, he’s certainly got the background to do so.

“He will guide us back to our heart,” Barnhart said. “Through all the changes in college sports, he understands the DNA that leads us to our destination. He said this place changed the trajectory of his life. We are ready and excited he is ready to do the very same for the young men in our program, and we’re excited for that.”