Kentucky Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart releases statement on coaching search

Mitch Barnhart releases an official statement on the coaching search.

John Calipari will officially no longer be the coach at Kentucky after he released a video of his goodbyes, so the search for a new head coach begins.

We have heard some names, and it seems like, at the moment, the most realistic next head coach at Kentucky is Baylor coach Scott Drew.

After Calipari released the news that he would no longer be the head coach at Kentucky, Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart put out a statement on the upcoming coaching search.

This is what Barnhart had to say about the coaching search, “We’re appreciative of John Calipari leading our program for the last 15 years, adding to the legacy of championship success at Kentucky. We’re grateful to John for his many contributions to the University, and our state, both on and off the court. “We are working diligently to hire a proven, highly dedicated coach who embraces the importance of this program to our fans and the state of Kentucky.”

Dan Hurley and Nate Oats don't seem interested in the job, which were the two names Big Blue Nation seemed most excited about early into the search. Hurley and Oats would have both been a really good hire for Kentucky, but they are happy where they are, so Barnhart will have to look elsewhere.

Kentucky will need to add a ton of players via the transfer portal, meaning Barnhart will have to work fast to get a new coach in Lexington so the Wildcats can have a shot at the best players in the portal.