Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear publicly criticized leadership at the University of Kentucky this week, raising concerns about governance, transparency, and decision-making at the state’s flagship university.
Appearing on The Deener Show on Wednesday, Beshear compared the current situation at UK to events at the University of Louisville in 2016, when former president James Ramsey resigned amid a series of scandals. Beshear warned that a similar consolidation of power could lead to problems if not addressed.
“My concern is that the leadership of Kentucky has consolidated power in such a way to where they’re not hearing input that is needed from faculty, from the community, and from students,” Beshear said.
The governor’s comments come amid controversy surrounding UK president Eli Capilouto and athletics director Mitch Barnhart, who was supposed to transition into a proposed Executive in Residence role. That position, along with the appointment of federal judge Gregory Van Tatenhove as law school dean, required only Capilouto’s approval under governance changes made in 2024, bypassing the Board of Trustees.
Last week, the Board of Trustees voted to form a group to review those changes and potentially restore its authority over such decisions.
Beshear emphasized that his concerns were not personal toward Barnhart, but rather about the process and use of taxpayer funds.
It was creating a million-dollar job out of thin air, thinking you didn’t have to pass it by your trustees? It had never even existed before,“ Beshear said. ”There weren’t duties for it, and it was going to be paid not through athletics, but through taxpayer money. If I’m the Governor, it’s my job to make sure taxpayer money is spent appropriately, and that’s just not good judgment.
As scrutiny continues, Beshear indicated he will keep pressure on university leadership to ensure greater accountability moving forward.
