Mitch Barnhart, retiring University of Kentucky athletic director since 2002, will not take a $950,000 executive-in-residence role after Gov. Andy Beshear questioned the decision-making. Barnhart retires June 30 as the longest-serving AD in the SEC. Capilouto will raise private funds for Barnhart's exit compensation.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear publicly criticized University of Kentucky leadership, questioning the decision to give retiring athletic director Mitch Barnhart a $1 million annual contract with no defined duties. The rare gubernatorial intervention comes as Kentucky athletics struggles, with football coach Mark Stoops fired in December after four consecutive losing seasons and men's basketball failing to reach the Final Four since 2015.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear publicly questioned the University of Kentucky's leadership, specifically the $1 million no-duties job given to retiring athletic director Mitch Barnhart and the controversial selection of a new law dean. The rare criticism from a sitting governor comes as Kentucky's football program fired Mark Stoops in December and the men's basketball team, despite being NCAA's winningest program, hasn't reached the Final Four since 2015 and is struggling to land top recruits.
