[Strikeout King]

How in the world could anybody even think about critisizing Mitch Barnhardt for the way in which he has handled the UK baseball program. I think Barnhart does want to see UK baseball succeed and proved that beyond a shadow of a doubt. His coaching hire turned UK from a cellar dweller program in the toughest conference in the country into a legitimate conference powerhouse in just a few short years. Cohen was the hottest coaching commodity in the country while at UK .Stop and think what Cohen/Henderson did in the time they were together. They reached heights never ever before acheived by any team in the history of Kentucky baseball. Cohen was such a hot commodity while at UK that when the job came open at his alma mater (Mississippi State) he was able to trump Ron Polk's wishes of Miss State hiring his hand picked successor. Polk became so enraged that the selection committe went with Cohen that he demanded that his name come down from the Miss State stadium. Since Henderson was such a vital part of UK's success with Cohen , it was only natural that Barnhart hand over the reins to Henderson. Henderson earned the right of being given the first shot.

Barnhardt also pumped a lot of money into the renovation of Cliff Hagan stadium and a promise of a new stadium was made. However I dont know what ever happened to that development.

he did do a Excellent job when he hired Cohen but since Cohen left for Miss. State, Barhart didn't put much into the Coaching Search for the Baseball Program. Past few years they haven't shown anything. Since Gary Henderson was hired at Kentucky in 2009 he is only 2 games about .500 at 74-72 (including the games that have been played this year)


2009: 26-24
2010: 31-27
2011: 17-21


All I'm saying is that they don't put as much into other sports like they do Basketball like Cal State Fullerton for an Example there a Baseball School, Every year there Ranked and they go deep into the post season