University of Colorado athletic director Rick George stepping down

BOULDER — Rick George is leaving his position as University of Colorado Boulder’s athletic director at the end of this school year and will take on a new role as special advisor to CU’s chancellor and athletic director emeritus.

CU has not named a successor for George, who has served as AD for 13 years. “Details regarding the timeline for hiring a new Athletic Director at Colorado will be announced at a later date,” the school said Thursday. 

In his new job, George, the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics’ 2023-2024 Athletic Director of the Year who first worked for CU in 1987 as football recruiting coordinator before taking a number of other collegiate and professional sports jobs, “will continue to assist CU Athletics in his new role, participating in revenue-generating initiatives for the department during a time when revenue generation is vital for success,” CU said. 

Hired by CU again in 2013 as the university’s sixth full-time AD, George’s recent achievements are highlighted by the hiring of Deion Sanders as the Buffs head football coach. 

“This was an extremely difficult decision for me and one that was made after discussions with my wife, Nancy, that began in April. In August, I approached Chancellor (Justin) Schwartz with my decision, and we agreed that announcing it now is the best thing for CU Athletics because it gives the Chancellor plenty of time to find the best person to lead this department,” George wrote in an email to the CU community. “I have told the Chancellor that I will ensure the transition to a new Athletic Director is as smooth as possible.”

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