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When Martin Newton left UK to become athletics director at Samford, both Cal and Mitch Barnhart called. That's strong.

There have been strong whispers about potential problems between mens basketball and UK's athletics director. It's been played down big time by both sides. This hire could help.

"I think it's crucial. I think there is a comfort level on both sides."

Chris Woolard already had a strong relationship with both. In his new job as Associate Athletics Director at UK, he will help in every basketball area except on the court. Doesn't matter that schools like UCLA were interested in him as a player before he ripped his knee twice in high school, or the fact that his father was a high school coach and he ended up coaching basketball at UCLA for a couple of years.

Woolard wants to be a commissioner or athletics director. He's already been in the mix for both. This is expected to be his last stop before that happens.

Chris not only served on an NCAA committee with Mitch Barnhart, but because UK in soccer is part of conference USA where he was the Associate Commissioner, he worked closely with Mitch, and with Cal when he built Memphis into a national power.

"He was great," says Woolard. "He was great with the other basketball coaches in the league."

Woolard also believes too many who rip Cal don't know him.

"He's a great person. I think there are a lot of misconceptions about him. You are not going to find a more loyal person in the world."

Cal is a great recruiter. His success has a lot of people wondering how he does it. That's a strong way of suggesting without knowing that Cal cheats. To that, Chris has an obvious answer that many refuse to either accept or they just don't know how Cal really is.

"I know why he can recruit. He connects with people and works as hard as anyone in the country."

As far as Kentucky. Growing up in Carbondale, Illinois he was well aware of UK basketball.

"I was a Kentucky fan growing up."

It's a totally different world working at Kentucky after being in the commissioners office of a conference.

"I love being back in a place where people are so passionate."