SMU Nears Selection of First Black Athletic Director
Southern Methodist University (SMU) is reportedly closing in on its next athletic director, with Damon Evans, current athletic director at the University of Maryland, emerging as the leading candidate. According to sources familiar with the search, Evans would make history as SMU’s first Black athletic director.
Evans has held his position at Maryland since 2017, initially as interim director before being permanently appointed in June 2018. Under his leadership, the Terrapins have celebrated significant success, winning 49 Big Ten Championships and seven National Championships since 2014. Recently, he was named to the College Football Playoff selection committee, a testament to his influence in collegiate athletics. This appointment coincides with SMU’s historic move into the College Football Playoff in 2024.
Before joining Maryland, Evans had a distinguished 20-year tenure at the University of Georgia, where he served as athletic director from 2004 to 2010 and was celebrated for achieving the largest operating profit among collegiate athletic programs. He was also noted as the Southeastern Conference’s first Black athletic director, marking a significant milestone in the role.
The search for SMU’s new athletic director has been ongoing for six weeks following the resignation of Rick Hart, who stepped down after more than a decade. This transition aligns with broader changes at SMU, including the appointment of President Jay Hartzell from Texas. The aim is to rejuvenate the university’s athletic department as it prepares to expand its presence in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
An official announcement regarding Evans’s appointment is expected within the next few days. Stay tuned for further updates.
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