WSU

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)...

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.

WSU

UW Huskies WSU Cougars Pac-12 Apple Cup...

Brandon Gustafson

Huard’s Reaction: WSU’s Pat Chun was hire UW ‘needed to make’

"For the University of Washington, he's a tremendous hire," Brock Huard said of new UW Huskies athletic director Pat Chun.

2 days ago

UW Huskies AD WSU Pat Chun apple cup...

Brandon Gustafson

UW Huskies hire Pat Chun as next athletic director from rival WSU

The next UW Huskies athletic director is Pat Chun, who comes to Washington after serving as AD at rival school WSU since 2018.

2 days ago

WSU Kyle Smith Myles Rice Cougars...

Josh Dubow

Kyle Smith leaves WSU to be Stanford basketball coach

Stanford has hired Kyle Smith away from the WSU Cougars to take over its struggling men’s basketball program.

3 days ago

WSU Cougars Iowa State NCAA Tournament...

The Associated Press

Iowa St pulls away late to beat WSU 67-56 for spot in Sweet 16

Iowa State cranked up the second-half pressure against WSU, and the No. 2 seed Cyclones marched into their seventh Sweet 16 with a 67-56 victory over the seventh-seeded Cougars in the NCAA Tournament.

5 days ago

WSU Isaac Jones...

Eric Olson

WSU star Isaac Jones went from loading trucks to playing for Sweet 16 spot

WSU forward Isaac Jones went from loading trucks to a junior college to starring for a WSU Cougars team fighting for a Sweet 16 berth.

5 days ago

WSU Cougars NCAA Tournament Isaiah Watts Jaylen Wells...

Eric Olson

WSU Cougars survive maddening 2nd half, beat Drake 66-61

Isaac Jones had 20 points and 11 rebounds, and seventh-seeded WSU took the lead with 1:51 left to beat No. 10 Drake 66-61 in the NCAA Tournament.

7 days ago

Pat Chun named WSU athletic director