Nine athletic departments experienced AD turnover in May, the second consecutive month that saw nine changes in leadership. Of the nine Division I schools to experience AD turnover in May, seven welcomed new leaders to full-time roles. Florida State and Texas A&M were the only two Power Five programs to undergo AD turnover in May, as both the Seminoles and Aggies welcomed new leaders.
Presbyterian College
Danny Sterling announced his decision to step down as PC’s director of athletics on May 2, making Presbyterian College the first athletic department to experience AD turnover in May. Sterling will return to the state of Virginia where he has taken an associate athletic director post at VCU. Senior Associate AD for Compliance and SWA Dee Nichols is serving as PC’s interim AD while the College conducts a search for Sterling’s replacement.
Utah Valley University
Utah Valley didn’t take long to remove the interim tag and promote Dr. Jared Sumsion to AD. Sumsion had been serving as UVU’s interim AD since February following Vince Otoupal’s departure. A UVU alum, Sumsion has worked in the university in some capacity since 2005.
Robert Morris University
After 10 years at UTRGV, Pennsylvania native Chris King was announced as the Colonials next Director of Athletics on May, 6. King, a 1994 RMU graduate officially began his new duties on June 1. During King’s time at UTRGV, he led the school’s transition from a Division I independent to full membership in the Western Athletic Conference. In 2018, King was named the Division I-AAA Athletic Director of the Year.
Florida State University
The first Power Five school to experience AD turnover in May was Florida State after president John Thrasher announced that interim AD David Coburn would assume the role on a full-time basis. With the announcement, Coburn became the 12th athletic director in Florida State history. Prior to being named interim AD following Stan Wilcox’s departure for the NCAA office, Coburn served as chief of staff to President Thrasher.
Longwood University
Michelle Meadows was named Longwood University’s new athletics director on May 13. Meadows, a 14-year veteran of the Longwood athletic department was promoted to her new role after spending the previous eight months leading the department on an interim basis. A Virginia Tech grad, Meadows has worked at Longwood since 2005.
University of Memphis
Following a seven-year tenure at Memphis, Tom Bowen announced on May 14 he was resigning to pursue other interests. Allie Prescott is serving as the Tigers interim AD while the university launches a national search to find Bowen’s replacement.
College of Holy Cross
Boston College Associate AD Marcus Blossom was named the new director of intercollegiate athletics at the College of the Holy Cross in May. Blossom will begin his new role on July 1. Blossom has been at Boston College since 2014 overseeing the Eagles budget and financial operations. With the announcement of Blossom’s appointment, Holy Cross became the seventh institution to experience AD turnover in May.
Texas A&M
In an announcement that seemingly came out of nowhere, Texas A&M announced Ross Bjork would become the new Aggie AD, replacing Scott Woodward. Bjork comes to College Station after spending the last seven years leading the athletic department of SEC West foe Ole Miss.
United States Military Academy
The final athletic department to experience AD turnover in May was Army West Point. On May 29 news broke that Furman AD Mike Buddie was set to be the Black Knights next AD. Army made the official announcement the following day and introduced Buddie in West Point on Friday, May 31.