LEXINGTON, Ky. — July 1, 2026 marked the end of an era for University of Kentucky athletics. On a scorching Wednesday in the Bluegrass, for the first time in 24 years, Mitch Barnharnt was no longer the Athletics Director. The J Batt era had begun. "We've been blessed for the last 24 years and, for Mitch's sake, I like to say quarter century, we've been blessed to have the best person in the business," Kentucky men's basketball coach Mark Pope told BBN Tonight host Maggie Davis.