Trending Now - Mitch Barnhart Declines High-paying Role After Retirement
WHO:
ABC News - Mitch Barnhart, retiring Kentucky athletic director
ABC News - Eli Capilouto, University of Kentucky President
ABC News - Andy Beshear, Governor of Kentucky
WHAT:
ABC News - Barnhart's proposed role as Executive in Residence for the UK Sport and Workforce Initiative was set to begin on July 1st, 2026.
On3 - Barnhart's contract amendment included a $650,000 retention bonus on June 30th, 2026, in addition to his salary.
Lexington Herald Leader - Barnhart's contract amendment specified he would be paid his monthly athletic director salary through June 2028, totaling $4.55 million if terminated without cause before July 1st.
ABC News - Mitch Barnhart will not take on the role of Executive-in-Residence for the UK Sport and Workforce Initiative.
ABC News - The proposed role was set to pay Barnhart $950,000 annually through August 2030.
On3 - Barnhart's new role included benefits such as insurance, tickets to athletic events, and a country club membership.
On3 - Barnhart stated that the discussion surrounding his future role had become a distraction from the university's work.
On3 - Barnhart's retirement as athletic director is effective June 30, 2026.
WHERE:
ABC News - University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
WHEN:
ABC News - Barnhart's retirement is effective on June 30, 2026.
ABC News - The announcement regarding Barnhart's decision was made on Thursday, April 21st, 2026.
WHY:
ABC News - Governor Andy Beshear expressed concerns about Barnhart's decision-making, stating he is “losing confidence and growing increasingly concerned” about management at the University of Kentucky.
ABC News - Governor Andy Beshear expressed concerns about Barnhart's decision-making and the creation of a new job without defined duties.
On3 - Barnhart indicated that the timing for the new role was not right and that he did not want to distract from the university's work.
HOW:
On3 - President Capilouto stated that compensation for Barnhart's departure will be raised entirely through private funds, not from athletic or university funds.
ABC News - Compensation for Barnhart's exit will be handled through private funds, not athletic funds or university funds, as stated by President Capilouto.
On3 - Barnhart's proposed role included vague responsibilities such as reporting to the President and Provost and serving as Executive in Residence for the UK Sport and Workforce Initiative.
(UPDATED April 24, 2026 09:27 UTC)
Barnhart's proposed role as Executive in Residence for the UK Sport and Workforce Initiative is set to begin July 1st, and his contract amendment includes a $650,000 retention bonus June 30th, along with a monthly athletic director salary through June 20th28, totaling $4.55 million if terminated without cause before July 1st. Governor Andy Beshear has voiced concerns about Barnhart's decision-making, indicating he is “losing confidence and growing increasingly concerned” about the management at the University of Kentucky. President Capilouto confirmed that Barnhart's departure compensation will be funded entirely through private sources, ensuring no impact on athletic or university funds.
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(UPDATED April 23, 2026 23:21 UTC)
Mitch Barnhart, the athletic director at the University of Kentucky, announced he will not take on the proposed role of Executive-in-Residence for the UK Sport and Workforce Initiative, which was set to pay him $950,000 annually through August 20th30. Barnhart stated that discussions about this new position had become a distraction from the university's work, and his retirement as athletic director will be effective June 30th. President Eli Capilouto confirmed that compensation for Barnhart's exit will be covered by private funds, and concerns were raised by Governor Andy Beshear regarding the lack of defined duties for the new role.