After drawing backlash including criticism from the state’s governor retiring University of Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart said Thursday he will not take a proposed $1 million role with the school.
University President Eli Capilouto, who had announced the transition in March, confirmed alongside Barnhart that he will no longer serve as executive-in-residence for the UK Sports and Workforce Initiative. The position had been criticized by Gov. Andy Beshear as an undefined, high-paying role and also drew opposition from key athletics donors.
Capilouto explained that Barnhart raised concerns earlier in the week that the controversy surrounding the position was becoming a distraction. He added that Barnhart and his family want attention to shift back to the university’s priorities. While Barnhart, 66, will still retire as planned on June 30, he will step away from the new role, and the terms of his departure will be worked out according to his contract.
The proposed deal reportedly would have paid Barnhart about $950,000 annually through 2030. Capilouto noted that any compensation tied to Barnhart’s exit would be funded privately, not through university, athletic, or NIL-related resources.
Barnhart, who has led Kentucky athletics since 2002 and is the SEC’s longest-serving athletic director, had previously planned to help launch the workforce initiative after retiring. However, he said the timing no longer feels appropriate and emphasized that he does not want to hinder what is best for the university. He expressed hope the initiative could move forward in the future.
During his tenure, Kentucky teams won six national championships, including a men’s basketball title in 2012, a women’s volleyball championship in 2020, and four rifle titles. The football program also achieved notable success, including two 10-win seasons. Barnhart was named Division I Athletic Director of the Year in 2019.
In recent years, however, the football and men’s basketball programs have faced challenges, including the firing of football coach Mark Stoops after declining seasons and the departure of longtime basketball coach John Calipari in 2024. Gov. Beshear cited concerns about leadership decisions at the university, including the proposed job and other administrative moves.
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