The University of Kentucky announced Thursday that retiring athletic director Mitch Barnhart will no longer be moving into a new position within the university.
Barnhart announced in March he was stepping down after 24 years as UK's athletic director.
As reported by Lexington CBS affiliate WKYT, Kentucky governor Andy Beshear said in a social media post earlier this week that he is losing confidence in the management and decision-making at the University of Kentucky, citing concerns over a new role with a nearly $1 million annual salary — presumably the position recently accepted by Barnhart.
Related: Kentucky Governor Questions UK Decision-Making, Including Cushy Gig for Outgoing AD
In March, prominent UK donor Brett Setzer wrote a letter to university president Eli Capilouto, urging him to reverse the deal, calling the arrangement “deeply misguided.”
In a press release Thursday, Capilouto announced that Barnhart will “step away” from the proposed ongoing role leading the Sports Workforce Initiative at the university.
Capilouto's statement, as reported by WKYT, citing a university release:
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. 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.
With that in mind, Mitch has informed me that he will retire from his position of Athletics Director on June 30 and step away from the proposed ongoing role leading the Sports Workforce Initiative at the university. Over the next several weeks, he and I will work through the terms of his departure, through a process guided by his contract.
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. Mitch’s impact on this university has been profound, and I am grateful for his decades of leadership and service.
Per WKYT, Barnhart provided his own statement:
When Connie and I came here 24 years ago, our goal was to do a great job for the University of Kentucky before whatever became the next phase of our journey. We fell in love with this place — especially the people — and we are thankful for the opportunities given us by Dr. Capilouto and Dr. Todd.
What we thought was the next step in our path became our destination. It is difficult to put into words how much UK means to us. Our hearts continue to be full of love and appreciation for this institution.
With our family previously having made the decision to retire in June from the position of Athletics Director, we were very excited about beginning the Workforce Initiative, developing a new program and pouring into the next generation of leaders in sports. Work has already begun on the Initiative but recently it has become apparent that now is not the right time and we would never stand in the way of what we deem best. The world of sports is dynamic and ever-changing. It is my hope that this initiative will continue in the future.
As Connie and I reflect on our time here, our hope is that our contributions have made a positive impact on the lives of our students, coaches and staff, and the Big Blue Nation. We cherish the wonderful relationships we have made and look forward to any ways we can continue to serve. Go Cats!
