Beshear criticizes retirement package of UK AD Barnhart, law school dean hiring • Kentucky Lantern

Beshear criticizes retirement package of UK AD Barnhart, law school dean hiring • Kentucky Lantern

Mitch Barnhart (University of Kentucky)Gov. Andy Beshear criticized the $3.2 million payout to retiring University of Kentucky Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart on Thursday, stating his disapproval despite the fact the funds were privately raised. “Yes, $3 million that could otherwise go to helping students, to better paying faculty, to doing research that could cure this disease that’s afflicting one of our people,” Beshear said during a Team K…

Beshear criticizes retirement package of UK AD Barnhart, law school dean hiring

By Lantern staff, Kentucky Lantern · July 16, 2026 Gov. Andy Beshear criticized the $3.2 million payout to retiring University of Kentucky Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart on Thursday, stating his disapproval despite the fact the funds were privately raised. “Yes, $3 million that could otherwise go to helping students, to better paying faculty, to doing research that could cure this disease that’s afflicting one of our people,” Beshear said dur…

Andy Beshear doesn't like Barnhart's revised deal any more than the original

Gov. Andy Beshear is criticizing Mitch Barnhart's revised retirement agreement with Kentucky, arguing the $3.2 million package could have benefited students, faculty and research instead.