Kentucky Shifts Mitch Barnhart to 20% Role With $3.06 Million Severance
Updated
Updated · WKYT · Jul 9
Kentucky Shifts Mitch Barnhart to 20% Role With $3.06 Million Severance
3 articles · Updated · WKYT · Jul 9
Summary
A June 30 contract amendment moved former Kentucky athletics director Mitch Barnhart into a 0.2 FTE fundraising role starting July 1 and running through Jan. 31, 2030.
The deal also grants Barnhart $3.06 million in severance over four payments—$760,000 in each of 2027, 2028 and 2029, plus $780,000 at the end of 2029.
Kentucky said the package will be funded with private money raised by President Eli Capilouto, while standard part-time employee health and other benefits will continue.
University spokesperson Jay Blanton said the amendment is $1.6 million below Barnhart's 2023 step-down provision, more than $700,000 below the latest version, and drops perks such as tickets and courtesy vehicles.
The agreement took effect on Barnhart's last day as AD, while Kentucky is still finalizing a start date for incoming athletic director and Champions Blue CEO J Batt.