Desireé Reed-Francois has been appointed as the new Director of Athletics at the University of Arizona, pending approval by the Arizona Board of Regents. She brings extensive experience from her previous roles at the University of Missouri and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and is known for her success in fundraising, relationship building, and enhancing student-athlete welfare. Reed-Francois, who will start her tenure on March 3, has a strong financial acumen and a proven track record of transforming athletic departments into high-performing, cost-effective operations.
Arizona hires Desireé Reed-Francois from Missouri as its new athletic director amid financial challenges and the school's transition to the Big 12. Reed-Francois, the first female full-time athletic director in Arizona's history, faces a $177 million budget deficit and potential program cuts. Despite the turmoil, she brings a strong track record of success at Missouri, including financial growth and successful coaching hires, and will look to replicate that success at Arizona.
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.
The University of Arizona is set to hire Desireé Reed-Francois, the current athletic director at Missouri, as its new AD, despite the school's financial struggles. Reed-Francois, who has experience at UNLV and a history of leadership at various universities, will be the first female AD at Arizona. Her attraction to the job includes the opportunity to improve Arizona's financial situation. This move comes as Arizona faces a reported deficit of $177 million, and the athletics department has borrowed over $80 million from the university in recent years. Reed-Francois is known for her ability to handle finances and fundraise, and she leaves Missouri with a positive budget trend and successful coaching hires.
