Pat Chun named WSU athletic director
Jan 22, 2018, 11:44 AM
New WSU athletic director Pat Chun comes to Pullman from Florida Atlantic University. (AP)
(AP)
Washington State has announced that Pat Chun has been named its new athletic director.
Chun becomes the first Asian-American athletic director to lead a Power 5 school.
Darcel McBath named WSU assistant coach
“This is a game-changing day for our athletics program,” said WSU President Kirk Schulz in a press release. “We were focused on finding a leader with the right blend of experience, vision, and passion to lead Cougar athletics to the next level of success. In Pat, we’re confident we found that person. His achievements in fundraising, boosting the academic success rate of student athletes, and building strong relationships with the community – on- and off-campus – are exemplary.”
Washington State will hold a press conference at 11 a.m. Tuesday to announce Chun’s hiring, news of which was first reported last week.
The 43-year-old Chun will succeed Bill Moos, who left WSU’s AD position for the same job with Nebraska in October. John Johnson served as interim AD between Moos and Chun.
“I am honored to serve the Washington State University family and I want to thank President Schulz and the search committee for entrusting me as the steward of the Department of Athletics,” said Chun. “The passion and pride of Cougar Nation is renowned and revered across the country and I will work with our great coaches and staff to impact the lives of our student-athletes and to build upon our past successes to achieve new heights. My family and I are looking forward to joining the WSU community and we are excited to get started.”
Chun comes to Pullman from Florida Atlantic University, where he had served as athletic director since 2012. His most notable hire while with FAU was Lane Kiffin, who took on the Owls’ head football coaching job prior to the 2017 season.
Before arriving at FAU, Chun spent 15 years at Ohio State in the Buckeyes’ athletic department.
