Beshear ‘losing confidence’ in management, decisions made at University of Kentucky
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear expressed concerns about the “management and decision-making at the University of Kentucky” in a social media post Tuesday, citing several controversial moves made by the state’s largest public university.
Beshear referenced the hiring of Gregory Van Tatenhove, a district judge for the Eastern District of Kentucky, as the next dean of UK’s law school, and Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart’s retirement and appointment to executive in residence of a new UK Sport and Workforce Initiative.
“I am losing confidence and growing increasingly concerned with the management and decision-making at the University of Kentucky,” Beshear posted on social media, in a rare remark on university actions.
Barnhart will be paid $950,000 per year through August 2030 for his new job, but few specifics about what the role will entail have been released. The university has previously said Barnhart’s new salary will come from the athletics budget.
Barnhart’s new job drew the ire of some in the UK community, with Brett Setzer, a prominent booster for UK football, calling the decision “deeply misguided” in a letter to university officials.
In his post, Beshear said he’d been told that Van Tatenhove was the only candidate not recommended for the position by the school’s faculty, and that UK previously said the dean must be approved by the board of trustees, but now says that approval is not needed.
Van Tatenhove is not listed in the personnel actions that will go before the board for approval at their meetings on Thursday and Friday, according to posted board materials on the UK website.
Van Tatenhove’s office declined to comment Tuesday.
Multiple university and athletics department spokespeople did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Beshear’s post.
“I worry that these actions are related to certain donors pushing partisan and undue outside influence onto the university. I hope students, faculty, trustees and the community attend this week’s board meetings and ask the tough questions that should be answered.”
Jay Blanton, a UK spokesperson, disagreed with Beshear’s stance on Van Tatenhove’s credibility but did not immediately comment on Barnhart in a statement to the Herald-Leader.
“In Judge Van Tatenhove we have someone who will be an outstanding Dean for the Rosenberg College of Law,” Blanton said. “With more than two decades of experience and an exemplary record on the federal courts, as well as years as a U.S. Attorney and in public service, he is the right leader, with the right skills and the right background and expertise at a critical moment for the College.”
This is a developing story and may be updated.
This story was originally published April 21, 2026 at 3:03 PM.