UK booster asks President Capilouto to reverse Mitch Barnhart’s $950K role

Key Points:

• Mitch Barnhart's new role as Executive in Residence for the UK Sports and Workforce Initiative has sparked controversy, with critics questioning the lack of a formal job description and the high salary involved.
• Brett Setzer, a prominent UK booster, expressed his concerns in a letter to University President Eli Capilouto, calling the appointment "deeply misguided" and an insult to athletes and coaches in smaller sports programs.
• Setzer criticized the decision for bypassing established policies and likened it to an unprecedented NIL-style deal benefiting a non-athlete, which he says undermines donor trust and the university's priorities.
• He urged Capilouto to reverse the decision, suggesting that if Barnhart does not wish to continue as Athletic Director, the university should settle his contract and avoid ongoing criticism and perceptions of cronyism.
• The issue has escalated beyond informal discussions, reaching university leadership and governance bodies, highlighting significant dissatisfaction within the UK community.