< PreviousFormer Wildcat Anwar Stewart was named the defensive line coach at Kentucky in Janu- ary of 2020. He returned to the Bluegrass after one season as the defensive line coach at Ap- palachian State. Stewart is quite familiar with the Kentucky football program after playing linebacker/de- fensive end from 1996-99 under head coaches Bill Curry and Hal Mumme and having served as a student assistant and defensive assistant under head coach Mark Stoops from 2017-18. During his playing days at Kentucky, he to- taled 64 tackles, including nine tackles for loss and eight sacks, playing both linebacker and defensive end. 2014 Defensive Quality Control Montreal Alouettes 2015 Defensive Ends Montreal Alouettes 2016 Defensive Line Montreal Alouettes 2017-18 Defensive Assistant Kentucky 2019 Defensive Line Appalachian State 2020-present Defensive Line Kentucky ANWAR Stewart Defensive Line Mike Stoops, a 35-year collegiate coach- ing veteran who is the brother of head coach Mark Stoops, was named the inside lineback- ers coach in Janurary of 2022. He replaced Jon Sumrall, who was named the head coach at Troy. Before UK, Mike Stoops coached at Flor- ida Atlantic where he spent the 2021 season as the defensive coordinator and safeties coach. Prior to that, he spent two seasons (2019 and 2020) at Alabama as an analyst on Nick Saban’s staff, highlighted by the 2020 national championship. He also was the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at Oklahoma from 2012-18 and was the head coach at Arizona from 2004-11. He had a first term at Oklahoma from 1999-2003, including the 2000 national championship season. 1987 Graduate Assistant Iowa 1988-91 Volunteer Assistant Iowa 1992-95 Defensive Ends Kansas State 1996 Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Ends Kansas State 1997 Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs Kansas State 1998 Asst. HC/Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs Kansas State 1999-2003 Asst. Head Coach/Co-Def. Coord./Defensive Backs Oklahoma 2004-11 Head Coach Arizona 2012-14 Asst. Head Coach/Def. Coord./Defensive Backs Oklahoma 2015-18 Asst. HC/Defensive Coordinator/Outside Linebackers Oklahoma 2019-20 Quality Control Alabama 2021 Defensive Coordinator/Safeties Florida Atlantic 2022-present Inside Linebackers Kentucky MIKE Stoops Inside Linebackers Brad White is in his seventh season at Kentucky as the outside linebackers coach and sixth as the Cats’ defensive coordinator. He was elevated to the DC position by head coach Mark Stoops in February of 2019. White came to Kentucky after spending six years as the outside linebackers coach with the Indianapolis Colts. A graduate of Wake Forest, White started at linebacker and finished his playing career with 227 tackles, 19.0 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks and eight passes defensed, while start- ing 34-of-35 games played. White was a three-time Academic All-ACC se- lection and was named to the 2004 CoSIDA Academic All-District III team. 2007-08 Defensive Graduate Assistant Wake Forest 2009 Safeties Murray State 2010-11 Inside Linebackers Air Force 2012-13 Defensive Quality Control Indianapolis (NFL) 2014 Assistant Linebackers Indianapolis (NFL) 2015-17 Outside Linebackers Indianapolis (NFL) 2018 Outside Linebackers Kentucky 2019-present Defensive Coordinator/Outside Linebackers Kentucky BRAD White Defensive Coordinator/Outside Linebackers Eric Wolford returned to Kentucky as the Wildcats' offensive line coach in January of 2024. Wolford, who was Kentucky’s offen- sive line coach in 2021, spent the last two seasons at Alabama. Prior to UK in 2021, Wolford spent four seasons at South Carolina. Wolford has over 25 years of coaching experience, including two in the NFL. His new offensive line unit has plenty of playing experience as all but one starter from 2023 (Jeremy Flax) returns. They are: Jager Burton, Eli Cox, Marques Cox and Dylan Ray. 1996 Offensive Line/Strength Coach Emporia State (Division II) 1997-99 Offensive Line South Florida 2000-02 Offensive Line Houston 2003 Offensive Line North Texas 2004-06 Offensive Line Arizona 2007-08 Offensive Line Illinois 2009 Offensive Line South Carolina 2010-14 Head Coach Youngstown State 2015-16 Offensive Line San Francisco 49ers 2017-20 Offensive Line South Carolina 2021 Offensive Line Kentucky 2022-23 Offensive Line Alabama 2024-present Offensive Line Kentucky ERIC Wolford Offensive Line 28 @UKFootball Coaching Staff n 2024 University of KentuckyThank You to Our CORNERSTONE PARTNERSNEn Record retention and graduation rates and bold goals for contin- ued growth in our strategic plan n More than 8,000 degrees and 1,000 certificates awarded in the last academic year n Campus community with students from all 120 Kentucky counties, all 50 states and more than 100 countries n More than $6 billion in campus transformation, much of it fi- nanced in collaboration with private and public partners, focused on student living and learning communities, modern research lab- oratories, innovative teaching and learning spaces and one of the fastest growing academic medical centers in the country n A nearly $8.4 billion enterprise, UK is the region’s largest employer n The $504 million UK spent on research and development in FY23 generated $925 million in economic activity across the state, sup- porting more than 4,900 jobs throughout Kentucky n UK students compete successfully for prestigious scholarships and awards, such as the Fulbright, Astronaut, Truman, Goldwater, Marshall, Udall, Rhodes and Gates Cambridge n The hospitals and clinics of UK HealthCare provide advanced sub- specialty care for the most critically injured and ill patients from Kentucky and beyond. UK HealthCare is also home to the state’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer center, the region’s only Level 1 trauma center and Ken- tucky’s top hospital ranked by U.S. News & World Report for the past nine years 32 @UKFootball University of Kentucky n The Commonwealth’s Flagship InstitutionLEARN MORE AT GO.UKY.EDU/UKINVESTS OR BY SCANNING THE QR CODE. go.uky.edu/ukinvests | ukinvests@uky.edu The University of Kentucky is boldly committed to transforming our students' lives – both in and out of the classroom. In August 2023, we proudly introduced UK Invests – a first-of-its-kind initiative nationally and a holistic wellness program anchored by financial education. Through UK Invests, we are empowering and encouraging students to understand the importance of investing in themselves and their future. Ultimately, through this initiative, every student on campus can receive a personal investment account that will be used to incentivize and reward them for developing healthy habits – from wellness to career skill building to financial literacy. During the 2023-2024 academic year, more than 7,500 students opened a brokerage account through UK Invests. Collectively, those students participating in the program have earned more than $920,000. This program sets UK apart from other colleges and universities by teaching real-world situations to demonstrate the benefits of saving and investing early. “We can say we’re going to put students first, but by stepping forward in this way, we do put students first,” UK President Capiluoto said. “We believe in them, their future and what it can mean for Kentucky.” *Fidelity Bloom® is a mobile app designed to help with student’s saving, spending and investing behaviors through the Save and Spend accounts, which are brokerage accounts covered by SIPC. They are not bank accounts and therefore are not covered by FDIC insurance. Account made available via the app may be subject to fee. Brokerage account products and services offered by Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC. Member NYSE, SIPC. 900 Salem Street, Smithfield, RI 02917. Investing involves risk, including risk of loss. Compliance eReview number: 1102478.1.0 A WILDLY POWERFUL COMMITMENT “It means a lot that UK takes the time to educate students on how to manage money because it shows that they don’t just care about their students’ success in the classroom.” Langston Jackson, Class of 2023 D r. Eli Capilouto became the 12th Pres- ident of the University of Kentucky on July 1, 2011. Under his leadership, the Commonwealth's flagship and land grant research university has grown from $2.7 bil- lion to nearly $8.4 billion in total operations and has gained significant momentum in advancing Kentucky – the institution’s sin- gular yet multifaceted mission. President Capilouto has led a more than $5.4 billion transformation of the campus, aimed at enriching the living-learning ex- perience of UK's students, ensuring their success; strengthening the university's re- search infrastructure dedicated to solving Kentucky's most intractable health and economic challenges; and expanding UK HealthCare's capacity to teach, heal and serve. Through partnerships with the private sector, increased philanthropy and effective financial management, UK is self-financing much of this aggressive infrastructure devel- opment with the purpose of equipping the next generation of leaders who will impact our world for the better. Under his leadership, the priorities out- lined in the strategic plan and the innova- tion of the campus has resulted in histor- ic student success; improved care of our people; unrivaled ingenuity; greater trust, transparency and accountability; and a community of belonging. The progress on campus is resulting in a high-quality work- force and improved well-being for the Commonwealth UK has served for near- ly 160 years — all essential to advancing Kentucky. A native of Montgomery, Alabama, Dr. Capilouto previously served as provost of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and dean of the UAB School of Pub- lic Health – a period of remarkable growth and transformation at one of the leading academic and health sciences institutions in the South. Dr. Capilouto holds several undergraduate and graduate degrees from schools within the University of Alabama system, a Doctorate of Dental Medicine from UAB and a Doctorate in Health Policy and Management from Harvard University. He and his wife, Dr. Mary Lynne Capilouto (D.M.D.) a former Dean of the UAB School of Dentistry, have one daughter. 34 @UKFootball Eli Capilouto n President of the University of KentuckyWhether supporting their team on the field or each other in the community, Big Blue Nation is committed to the success of the Wildcat family. The UK Alumni Association operates under the same game plan as it works to serve the students, alumni and friends of the University of Kentucky. FAMILY IS EVERYTHING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE When you stand for and with UK, you’re investing in the future of the university and the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Show your true colors by becoming a Life or Active Member of the UK Alumni Association today! www.ukalumni.net/membershipN ow in his 23rd year as Director of Athletics at the University of Kentucky, Mitch Barnhart continues to expand his impact on national and regional levels, all while leading his Wildcats to consistent achievement in the arenas of competition, in the class- room and in the community. Having the second-longest term of service among current ADs at schools in the Power 4 conferences, Barnhart’s experience, knowledge and synthe- sis of athletic and academic success have made him a highly respected and sought-after presence across the scope of collegiate sports. Barnhart has a long history of na- tional service, highlighted by a five- year term on the NCAA Men’s Basket- ball Tournament Committee that included a historic year as Chair of the first COVID-era event. He also served a stint on the College Football Playoff committee and is one of only four people who have served on the football playoff committee and as chair of the men’s basketball tournament. Dedicated to the advancement of those whom he guides, Barnhart’s national influ- ence has grown through his “AD tree” – ad- ministrators and coaches who have worked for him and become Division I athletics di- rectors – which now numbers seven. At Kentucky, the Wildcat athletic pro- gram placed in the top 20 of the NACDA Directors’ Cup national all-sports stand- ings from 2017-23 (no standings in 2020 because of the pandemic), one of only 10 schools that earned that distinction. The Directors’ Cup was established in 1993-94 and the best nine finishes in school histo- ry have been under Barnhart, all of which have come in the last 11 years that had final standings. UK Athletics hit a peak in the Directors’ Cup in the 2021-22 school year. Sparked by a national championship in rifle, an NCAA Tournament runner-up slot by men’s tennis, and third-place national finishes by wom- en’s indoor and outdoor track and field, UK ascended to a school-record ninth place among Division I schools, which now totals 362 members. Barnhart’s legacy at Kentucky includes success in a wide array of sports. All count- ed, UK has earned six NCAA champion- ship rings during Barnhart’s term, including men’s basketball in 2012, volleyball in ’20 and rifle in 2011, ’18, ’21 and ‘22. UK also has totaled 58 regular-season and tourna- ment conference championships under his leadership, including first-time titles in baseball, women’s tennis, men’s golf and women’s swimming and diving. Since 2020, five Wildcats have been named National Athlete of the Year in their sport. In addition, Asia Seidt of swimming and diving was chosen for the highly pres- tigious NCAA Woman of the Year award, covering all female athletes in all divisions, for her combination of athletic success, academic excellence and dedication to community service. Numerous additional Wildcats have won national awards for their performances on the field, in the classroom and in the community. On the conference level, during Barn- hart’s term, Wildcats have been named the SEC Male and Female Athlete of the Year, the SEC Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year, and the SEC Male and Female Community Service Leader of the Year. A school-record total of 20 Wildcat ath- letes and coaches participated in the Tokyo Olympics, bringing home a school-record 10 medals, including seven gold. With qualifying in progress while this was writ- ten, UK will have another strong contingent in the 2024 Paris Olympiad. The competitive success has been fol- lowed by personal recognition. In 2022, he was inducted into the (state of) Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame and he received the John L. Toner Award for excellence in ath- letics administration from the National Foot- ball Foundation and College Hall of Fame. Those honors added to a grow- ing list of accolades for Barnhart, who was selected the 2019 Division I AD of the Year by the SportsBusi- ness Journal. The accomplishments are a result of Barnhart’s work since his arrival in the summer of 2002. He has steadi- ly invested in the growth of all UK teams while maintaining a singular commitment to the holistic devel- opment of Wildcat student-athletes. At the heart of everything are the core values Barnhart has instilled in the department he leads: character, integrity, knowledge, stewardship and competitiveness. A department-wide 3.0 grade- point average among student-ath- letes and increased community service have been long-standing goals for Barn- hart. The GPA benchmark was first met in the spring semester of 2010 and has now reached a streak of 24 consecutive semes- ters. In spring 2020, UK achieved a cu- mulative GPA of 3.534, the best in school history. Community service has reached as much as 4,000 hours annually and includes out- reach to the Lexington area, the Common- wealth of Kentucky and as far away as Ethi- opia, the Dominican Republic and Panama. In December of 2021 and August 2022, when natural disasters devastated western and eastern Kentucky, a pair of telethons sponsored by UK Athletics raised more than $8 million and numerous student-athletes and staff took part in other fundraising proj- ects, supply assistance, cleanup and the re- building process. In addition to the extraordinary achieve- ments of his work world, reaching new heights is also a theme of his personal life. An avid mountain climber, Barnhart has scaled Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, along with two of the most challenging peaks in the United States, Mount Rainier in Washington and the Grand Tetons in Wyoming. He also has performed two tandem parachute jumps with the Army Golden Knights. Impactful in community service, Barnhart has taken part in mission trips and is on the national advisory board of K-Love Radio. Barnhart is a native of Kansas City, Kan- sas. He and his wife, Connie, have three children and six grandchildren. 36 @UKFootball Mitch Barnhart n Director of Athletics n University of KentuckyNext >