When the University of Kentucky decided to part ways with Joker Phillips at the end of the 2012 football season, one of the main boxes they needed the next head coach to check was the ability to bring Ohio high school talent to Lexington. For a very long time, UK was unable to cash in up north and it meant a major talent disadvantage on Saturdays.
When Mitch Barnhart, along with some assistance from Tim Couch, started the interview process every candidate was likely pressed on how they could recruit the state of Ohio. No one had a better answer than Mark Stoops and the ability to mine the Buckeye State for talent likely played a major factor in him getting the job.