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Retiring AD Mitch Barnhart steps away from lucrative UK post after governor complains
TL;DR
Mitch Barnhart, University of Kentucky's Athletics Director, will retire on June 30 and will not take a $950,000 position due to concerns over distractions from his role. UK President Eli Capilouto confirmed that Barnhart's departure will be funded by private sources.
Key points
- Mitch Barnhart will retire on June 30, 2026.
- He will not take a $950,000 position at UK.
- Concerns about distractions led to his decision.
- His departure compensation will come from private funds.
- The situation drew complaints from UK boosters and the governor.
Mentioned in this story
University of KentuckyMitch BarnhartEli CapiloutoAndy Beshear
 University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto listens to Gov. Andy Beshear's State of the Commonwealth address at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History in Frankfort, Jan. 7, 2026. (Arden Barnes/ Kentucky Lantern) University of Kentucky Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart has decided not to take a $950,000 a year job that would begin after his June 30 retirement, UK President Eli Capilouto announced on Thursday.
| “Mitch Barnhart came to me earlier this week to share his concern that the discussion surrounding his future role leading our sports workforce initiative has become a distraction from the work of our university,” Capilouto announced in his statement. “Mitch and his family care deeply about this institution and our state, and they want the focus to return to the work that matters most for our students and the Commonwealth.” Barnhard will instead retire on June 30 without becoming the head of the Sports Workforce Initiative at UK. He had already signed a contract for the new position, but Capilouto said he and Barnhart would work to work out new terms for his departure. “The compensation associated with his departure will be supported entirely by private funds — not athletic funds, not funds that would go toward NIL opportunities or university funds — that I will raise,” Capilouto said. “Mitch’s impact on this university has been profound, and I am grateful for his decades of leadership and service.” The lucrative job which was created for Barnhart caused a furor around Kentucky, with complaints coming from UK boosters and others. On Tuesday, Gov. Andy Beshear joined in, saying he was concerned about UK’s decisions in the matter. This story is developing and will be updated. |
Q&A
Why is Mitch Barnhart retiring from the University of Kentucky?
Mitch Barnhart is retiring to avoid distractions related to discussions about his future role, which he felt were impacting the university's work.
What was the controversy surrounding Barnhart's new position?
The controversy stemmed from complaints by UK boosters and Gov. Andy Beshear regarding the creation of a lucrative job for Barnhart, which raised concerns about decision-making at the university.
How will Mitch Barnhart's departure be funded?
Barnhart's departure compensation will be entirely supported by private funds, not by athletic or university funds.
