The calendar has flipped from July to August putting us that much closer to students returning to campus and preparing for the 2018-19 academic and athletic year. Ten Division I institutions experienced AD turnover in July, with five of those institutions welcoming new leaders.
Abilene Christian
It took ACU less than a month to fill its vacant AD post. Allen Ward was officially announced as the Wildcats new athletic director on July 16. Ward comes to ACU after spending the past 13 years at Murray State, he begins August 6.
Austin Peay
The Govoners selected Duke senior associate director of athletics/internal affairs, Gerald Harrison, to be Austin Peay’s next atheltics director. Harrison was officially introduced on Monday, July 30. College Sports Associates led the search.
Cal State Northridge
CSUN hired Michael Izzi to be the Matadors new athletic director. Izzi joined CSUN after serving as the AD at UC Irvine, he officially began his tenure in late July.
Central Connecticut State
Central Connecticut State University President Zulma R. Toro announced Brian Barrio as the Blue Devils new director of athletics on July 12. The Connecticut native returns to his home state from Nevada where he served as the Senior Associate Director of Athletics for Intercollegiate Services. Barrio began his intercollegiate athletics career at CCSU in 2003.
Kansas
The Jayhawks turned to veteran athletic administrator Jeff Long to be the department’s new AD. Long previously held the same role at Arkansas from 2008-2017. He has also chaired the College Football Playoff Committee. Long’s first day in Lawrence was August 1. Korn Ferry led the Jayhawks search.
Murray State
For the first time in 13 years, Murray State is searching for a new athletic director. Allen Ward resigned his post on July 13 to accept the AD post at Abilene Christian. Women’s golf coach Velvet Milkman will serve as interim AD until Ward’s replacement is hired.
Oakland
Steven Waterfield was announced as Oakland’s new athletic director on July 24. Waterfield comes to Oakland from the University of Nebraska where he served as an executive associate AD.
UC Irvine
Paula Smith was named interim AD following the departure of Michael Izzi. Izzi accepted the AD post at CSUN. Smith is currently in her 13th year at UC Irvine.
UMass Lowell
Longtime UMass Lowell AD Dana Skinner announced plans to retire in September after 23 years of leading the leading the department. Peter Casey, currently UMass Lowell’s deputy director of athletics will replace Skinner.
UMKC
UMKC announced that Carla Wilson, the Kangaroos’ AD since 2013 has been reassigned to a new position in the chancellor’s office. Deputy AD and SWA Ursula Gurney will serve as UMKC’s AD on an interim basis.