Three institutions experienced AD turnover in November. A pair of athletic directors announced their intentions to step away while UMKC found the next leader of its athletics department.
Robert Morris University
RMU was the first school to undergo AD turnover in November when long-time athletic director Craig Coleman announced his decision to step down. Coleman’s resignation, which was effective December 7, brought a close to his 13-year tenure leading the Colonials athletic department. In addition to his duties as athletic director, Coleman also served as the school’s softball coach, a position he had held since 1991. Coleman was a practicing psychiatrist prior to being named AD in 2005 and he will return to medical practice. While the school searches for Coleman’s replacement, RMU Senior Associate Athletics Director Marty Galosi will serve as the Colonials acting AD.
UMKC
Brandon Martin was introduced as the Kangaroo’s new director of athletics on Wednesday, November 14. Martin served as the Director of Athletics at California State University, prior to taking over at UMKC. “I’m delighted to serve and join the UMKC family,” Martin told CollegeAD shortly after his appointment, “I want to build a culture based on a comprehensive excellence.” Of the three schools to undergo AD turnover in November, UMKC was the only institution to hire a new athletic director.
Cleveland State University
Nearly two years after hiring a new athletic director, Cleveland State once again finds its self looking for an AD. Mike Thomas, who was hired in February of 2017, announced intentions to retire at the end of the year, making CSU the third institution to experience AD turnover in November. Upon his exit, Thomas will begin working in athletics consulting, which he was doing prior to being hired by Cleveland State. In the release announcing Thomas’ decision to step aside, Cleveland State said it would announce an interim AD prior to the holiday break and begin searching for a fulltime replacement in 2019.