UK athletic director Mitch Barnhart will not take new role after retirement
· Yahoo Sports
Outgoing University of Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart will no longer assume a new role after retiring June 30, officials announced in an April 23 release.
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Barnhart announced his retirement in early March after nearly a quarter century in the role, adding that he would be accepting a new role as executive in residence of the UK Sport and Workforce Initiative. The move recently drew criticism from Gov. Andy Beshear, who commented on Barnhart's planned salary of nearly $1 million.
In a news release, UK president Eli Capilouto said Barnhart came to him with concerns that discussion of the role had become "a distraction" and decided stepping away would be in the best interest of the 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," he wrote.
Barnhart said he was thankful for the opportunities given to him at UK and that his heart will continue to be "full of love" for the university.
"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," he said. "The world of sports is dynamic and ever-changing. It is my hope that this initiative will continue in the future."
This story may be updated.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Mitch Barnhart announces retirement after criticism by governor