COLUMBIA, Mo. - University of Missouri officials announced today that they have started the search for a new athletics director. A search advisory committee consisting of university leaders and other stakeholders has been formed to hire a new leader for Mizzou Athletics with proven experience and deep knowledge of the evolving college athletic landscape.
"We're excited to launch this national search," said Mun Choi, president of the University of Missouri. "We're seeking to hire a proven AD with a track record of visionary leadership, business acumen, fundraising successes, high integrity, effective management skills and a focus on the well-being of our student-athletes. Mizzou is a proud member of the SEC, and our new AD must radiate a winning and innovative approach."
The individual chosen as Mizzou's 21st athletics director will join a program that saw a school record 18 teams represented in the 2020-21 postseason - despite the challenges of the pandemic - and continues to add state-of-the-art facilities. The new home of Mizzou Football operations, the $98M South End Zone Facility, opened in the summer of 2019, and ground is scheduled to be broken in the fall of 2021 on a new $34 million indoor football practice facility located southwest of Memorial Stadium.
In FY21, Mizzou broke the Tiger Scholarship Fund's productivity record, raising $55.5 million, surpassing the previous record by more than $5 million. For the last nine semesters, Mizzou student-athletes have posted a 3.00 GPA or better, including a school record 3.44 GPA mark during the spring 2020 term.
The search advisory committee will be chaired by Curator Jeff Layman.
"Our goal is to hire a dynamic athletics director who will build upon our success in the SEC and instill a championship culture at Mizzou," he said.
In addition to Layman, the committee includes:
- Pam Bruzina, Faculty Athletics Rep
- Todd Graves, Curator
- Greg Hoberock, Curator
- Mike Kampeter, Civic Leader
- Richard Miller, Alumni
- Ryan Rapp, EVP for Finance & Operations
- Don Walsworth, Alumni
- Michael Williams, Curator
The search advisory committee will be assisted by Parker Executive Search firm, which carried out searches for previous Mizzou head coaches, including basketball and football.
Current Athletics Director Jim Sterk will remain at his post until a new director is named or Sept. 15, whichever is earlier.
