Chris Park has been appointed as the new Executive Associate Athletics Director for External Affairs and Chief Communications Officer at Ohio State University, bringing extensive experience from Baylor, Texas A&M, and Washington State to enhance the university's athletic communications, branding, and strategic storytelling efforts.
Fernando Lovo has been appointed as the new Director of Athletics at the University of Colorado Boulder, succeeding Rick George, with a background of successful athletic and administrative leadership at the University of New Mexico and other institutions, and will start his role on January 1, 2026.
John Hartwell resigned as Louisiana-Monroe's athletics director after 18 months due to budget issues, with no confirmed plans to join Troy, where he previously served as AD. His departure is part of ongoing financial challenges at ULM, and the school is planning a replacement.
Georgia Tech has appointed Ryan Alpert, a seasoned athletics executive with extensive experience in revenue generation and strategic planning, as its new vice president and director of athletics, aiming to elevate its athletic programs and compete at the highest levels.
Michigan State University has appointed J Batt, currently at Georgia Tech, as its new vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics, aiming to elevate Spartan athletics through his extensive experience and leadership in college sports.
Jeremiah Donati has been appointed as the new Director of Athletics at the University of South Carolina, succeeding Ray Tanner. Donati previously served as the Athletics Director at Texas Christian University, where he achieved significant success, including multiple national championships and conference titles. He aims to continue building on the success of Gamecock Athletics by focusing on competitive excellence and enhancing the student-athlete experience.
Desiree Reed-Francois has left the University of Missouri for the same position at Arizona, leaving a considerable hole in the athletics department. A search for her replacement is set to begin immediately, with seven potential candidates being considered, including individuals with past ties to Missouri sports and experience in athletics administration at other universities. The hiring process and potential candidates will be closely watched as Mizzou seeks its next athletics director.
University of Missouri athletics director Desiree Reed-Francois is leaving to take the same job at the University of Arizona after less than three years at MU, where she was credited with generating momentum, hiring coaches, and securing a record $62 million donation. Her departure comes amid the establishment of an oversight committee to monitor Mizzou Athletics, and she will reportedly receive a $1 million per year salary at Arizona, a pay cut from her previous $1.25 million.
Beth Goetz's contract as the University of Iowa's athletics director is a five-year deal with an annual guaranteed base salary of $850,000, along with additional deferred compensation and performance-based bonuses. She is the 13th AD in school history and the only female AD in the Big Ten, succeeding longtime athletics director Gary Barta. Her contract runs from Jan. 18, 2024, to Jan. 17, 2029, and includes bonuses for academic and athletic achievements.
Beth Goetz has been named the permanent athletics director at the University of Iowa after serving as interim AD since August 2022. She received widespread support from coaches and colleagues, with a five-year contract and a base salary of $850,000 plus incentives and deferred compensation. Goetz is the only woman currently serving as an athletics director in the Big Ten and the first woman to be AD at Iowa since 1973. Her appointment concludes an official search process that began late last year, with TurnkeyZRG conducting the search.
Beth Goetz has been named the permanent athletics director at the University of Iowa, becoming the first female to oversee the entire Iowa athletic department and the only female athletics director in the Big Ten Conference. Goetz, who previously served as interim AD, was chosen after a national search and is praised for her leadership and vision. She has already made significant decisions during her tenure, including handling coaching changes and navigating modern college athletics challenges.
Beth Goetz has been named the University of Iowa’s next Director of Athletics after serving as interim since August 2022. She joined the Iowa athletics staff in September 2022 and previously served as director of athletics at Ball State University. Goetz expressed gratitude for the opportunity and looks forward to leading Iowa’s athletics program. Her appointment is pending approval by the Iowa Board of Regents.
Beth Goetz has been named the new athletics director at the University of Iowa, making her the first woman to oversee the full department. With a background in collegiate athletics and a track record of success, Goetz's priorities include addressing coaching transitions, fostering relationships with student-athletes, and exploring potential facility renovations. Her appointment follows a thorough search process and has garnered support from coaches and university leadership.
Ross Bjork, the current director of athletics at Texas A&M University, has been named the new senior vice president and Wolfe Foundation-Eugene Smith Endowed Athletics Director at Ohio State, pending approval by the Board of Trustees. With over 30 years of experience in intercollegiate athletics, Bjork has a strong track record of success in competitive sports, academic excellence, and community engagement. He will succeed Gene Smith and is set to begin his tenure on July 1, 2024, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a commitment to leading Ohio State's athletic program with confidence and innovative thinking into the future.
Gary Barta, the Henry B. and Patricia B. Tippie Director of Athletics Chair at the University of Iowa, has announced his retirement effective August 1, 2023, after 17 years as athletics director. During his tenure, Barta oversaw numerous on-the-field successes, academic achievements, facility upgrades, and fundraising efforts. He also served on numerous NCAA committees and was named the 2015-16 National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics/Under Armour Athletic Director of the Year. An interim athletics director will be announced next week.