Key Points:
- Rick George to step down after 13 years, becoming emeritus and adviser.
- Led key coaching hires, including Deion Sanders.
- Oversaw $100M facility upgrade and Colorado’s move to the Big 12.
Colorado athletics director Rick George announced that he will step down at the end of the current academic year, concluding 13 years in the role. George, 65, will transition into a new position as emeritus athletic director and special adviser to the university chancellor starting next year. His decision, he said, followed months of discussions with his family and a desire to give the university time to plan for new leadership.
George’s announcement emphasized stability and continuity within the athletics department, particularly during a time when college sports programs continue to navigate financial pressures and changing conference landscapes. For students and educators, his tenure offers insight into how leadership decisions can shape the direction, resources, and long-term development of collegiate athletic programs.
Tenure Marked by Coaching Changes and Program Rebuilding
Rick George’s leadership will be remembered most for his hiring of head football coach Deion Sanders in December 2022. Sanders, who arrived with significant attention, was tasked with reviving a football program that had struggled in previous seasons. His debut season ended with a 9–4 record, though the team has since faced challenges and currently stands at 3–7.
Before hiring Sanders, George brought in Mel Tucker in 2019, who left after one season, and Karl Dorrell, whose three-year tenure ended with an 8–15 record. When Sanders was introduced, George said Sanders would be the final coach he would hire, explaining that he intended to stay with the program for as long as Sanders’ contract ran.
George mentioned that the timing of his announcement was intentional, allowing him to continue supporting Sanders and the football team through the current season before moving into his new advisory role.
Impact on Facilities, Fundraising, and Academic Alignment
During his time as athletic director, Rick George led several major projects designed to strengthen the university’s athletics programs. One of his most significant accomplishments was the UCHealth Champions Center, a major facilities upgrade funded through what the university described as the most successful fundraising campaign in department history. The project raised $100 million, reflecting the growing importance of facility investment in college athletics.
George also played a key role in Colorado’s return to the Big 12 Conference in 2023. The move followed questions about the long-term future of the Pac-12, where Colorado competed for 12 seasons. The shift was intended to provide the university with greater stability and alignment within the evolving college sports environment.
Throughout his tenure, George worked to balance rising operational costs with the department’s revenue needs. Like many athletic programs across the country, Colorado faced financial challenges, including funding competitive coaching contracts and supporting expanding student-athlete services. In his new advisory role, George is expected to continue assisting with revenue-generating initiatives to support the department’s ongoing needs.
Preparing for New Leadership in College Athletics
Rick George will leave his position one year before his contract was set to end in June 2027, though his agreement allowed for an early transition. His move opens the way for Colorado to begin the search for a new athletics director as student-athlete expectations, academic priorities, and financial demands continue to evolve.
The university noted that maintaining strong support systems, modern facilities, and academic alignment for student-athletes will remain essential priorities. George’s shift into an advisory position is expected to help ensure stability during the transition while keeping focus on education, student development, and long-term planning within Colorado athletics.
For students studying sports management, education leadership, or athletic administration, Rick George’s career offers a real-time example of how university athletic departments manage coaching hires, facility investments, financial strategy, and program identity. His departure marks a significant moment for Colorado as it prepares for the next phase of its athletic and academic growth.
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