Dr. Eli Capilouto, right, and others in the UK administration are not high on Oscar Combs' list right now. (Vicky Graff Photo)
It’s not often that Oscar Combs, founder of The Cats’ Pause and an icon for fans who follow University of Kentucky sports, will overly criticize anyone.
However, after Kentucky’s season-ending loss to Iowa State Sunday it was obvious Combs was frustrated with the UK athletics program and he made that clear on X.
“UK athletics director Mitch Barnhart is retiring at age 66. One has to wonder how much longer 77-year-old Dr. Eli Capilouto (@UKYpres) will continue and is it already on track for UK executive VP Eric Monday to then move into UK presidency. Lots of pieces in motion on UK campus,” Combs posted.
That was followed by this:
“The most important challenge facing University of Kentucky as an institution of higher learning and a successful athletics program is creating an effective leadership team for immediate future, especially at level of president, senior administrators, and then athletics director,” Combs posted.
Wait. There was more.
“What a flurry of information rolling out of UK recently concerning athletics. Always begging for money, yet spending it like it’s wedding rice. Heads need to roll over there. They’re fleecing Kentuckians from Paducah to Virgie. 10 free home basketball/football tickets for life?” Combs posted.
Actually Barnhart gets 10 basketball, football and baseball season tickets for life along with more than $1 million annually from UK for his new role that few even understand what it is he will be doing.
Combs is also a loyal Mark Pope supporter which is no surprise since he has known Pope for over 30 years and wants to see him do well.
All I know is that when Oscar speaks/tweets, I listen and I know a lot of UK fans do as well. But does UK Athletics listen? My guess is no even though Combs knows the UK fanbase better than the administration does.
9 Responses
Oscar hit the nail, looks like there needs to be a clearing house starting at UK president down the line of administrators.
He's wise.. but everyone has called bullshit on the Barnhart deal..Its ridiculous. Talk about no self awareness.
And after listening to the gobbly goo of a last postseason ready show Pope did I'm more concerned than ever he's the right person. Running a left handed offense to match the left handed point guard..lol..what happens if the point gusrd gets in foul trouble or he gets hurt? Lol.. he's whacky. Couldn't answer in a thousand words or less what Tom Leach asked him , what's next year's offense going to look like. Im not sure if he ever answered.
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Kudos to Brett Setzer, a UK booster, for raising concerns about Barnhart's $950,000 a year golden parachute in retirement while the University faces funding cuts and swallows the $35 million buyout of Stoops.
Glad Oscar and Setzer called them out. Uk athletics has been falling behind for 5+ years. I never would’ve thought 2 years ago that I would respect Cal’s departure from UK so much more than Stoops and Barnhart’s. They were both overpaid for many years and will be raking in unearned money. Cal could’ve done the same, but left with class.
As to Pope, I thought he did pretty well his first year. I think he deserves a 3rd year but he has to get it right next season so or move on. The misses on high school recruiting can’t be fixed until there is high level success on the court.
A story that appeared on Facebook is too good to be true…so it probably isn't. It says Pope will leave Kentucky and will become the new head coach at Louisville. I told you that this report was questionable. It also stated the Billy Donovan has been hired to replace Pope at Kentucky. This sounds like a story that Trump would cook up just for the attention it would get. It stated that these events took place Tuesday morning, but nobody else is confirming the story. I guess we will find out more tomorrow.
Uk loses lead recruiter in Jason Hart. Wheels are coming off. However, good news is theyll take harts salary and give it to Barnhart
On top of his 900k
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