Collegiate Sports Associates Recruits Athletic Director for the University of Georgia
April 13, 2021 – Raleigh, NC-based Collegiate Sports Associates (CSA) recently placed Josh Brooks as the J. Reid Parker director of athletics at the University of Georgia (UGA). The hire follows the retirement of Greg McGarity, who held the position for 10 years. “From visionary and strategist to contract negotiator, fundraiser and champion for student-athletes—the modern-day athletic director must effectively wear many hats,” said Jere W. Morehead, president of UGA. “I am confident that Josh can wear all of these hats extraordinarily well, and I am excited to see our athletic program continue to evolve as one of the premier programs in the nation with him at the helm.”
The search process was overseen by an 11-person advisory committee, led by chairman and CEO of Synovus Kessel Stelling, with assistance from Michael Luthi, who leads the UGA Search Group, and Todd Turner, founder and president of Collegiate Sports Associates. Mr. Morehead and Mr. McGarity previously worked closely with Mr. Turner on the hiring of Tom Crean as the men’s basketball head coach.
“I want to thank the members of the advisory committee, particularly the committee chair, Kessel Stelling, for devoting time to carefully reviewing a large number of interested candidates who met my stated criteria,” said Mr. Morehead. “I also want to thank Michael Luthi, who provided excellent support to the committee, as well as Todd Turner, whose guidance was invaluable during the search process. I am pleased that, in the end, the committee was able to interview a highly-qualified and diverse pool of candidates for this position.”
“Todd and Michael brought a number of highly-qualified candidates before the advisory committee,” said Mr. Stelling, who also serves as a member of both the University System of Georgia board of regents and the UGA Athletic Association board of directors. “After an extensive evaluation process, the committee selected several top-tier candidates to interview. Following those interviews, we provided our perspectives on the qualifications of each to president Morehead, who conducted his interviews. I am delighted with the choice he has made.”
Mr. Brooks joined the UGA staff in 2016 as executive associate director of athletics. He was promoted to UGA deputy athletic director in 2018 and senior deputy athletic director in January 2020. “First, I want to thank president Morehead for giving me this incredible opportunity,” said Mr. Brooks. “This is a dream come true, and I am excited to get started. To everyone who supports and represents Georgia athletics—from our student-athletes, donors, and fans to our coaches, staff, and administrators—you are the heart and soul of the Bulldog nation, and I am honored to lead an organization that means so much to all of us. As athletic director, you can expect me to be visible, to be connected and engaged, and to be tirelessly devoted to the success of our student-athletes.”
Mr. Brooks previously served as deputy athletics director at the University of Louisiana Monroe from 2015-2016. He also held positions as director of athletics at Millsaps College (2014-2015) and assistant and associate director of athletics for internal operations at UGA during his first tenure in Athens (2012-2014).
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The athletic director position at UGA is responsible for leading the institution’s entire intercollegiate athletic program, which includes 21 NCAA Division I sports teams (nine men’s and 12 women’s) and operates an annual budget of more than $150 million. The athletic director reports directly to the president of the university and serves as a member of university cabinet.
Serving Universities
Collegiate Sports Associates helps recruit talent for athletics programs at NCAA Division I universities and conferences across the U.S. The firm’s network of associates includes current and former Division I athletics directors and other senior university and conference officials, including commissioners, presidents, faculty athletics representatives, coaches, and associate athletics directors.
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CSA founder and president Todd Turner has over 30 years of experience in intercollegiate athletics, 21 of which were as the athletics director at four major Division I FBS/BCS institutions. By coupling Mr. Turner’s experience and thriving personal relationships throughout higher education with top-level professional consulting and search services, Collegiate Sports Associates has a reputation for delivering a unique level of service.
Among its previous placements, Collegiate Sports Associates has helped recruit athletic directors for Boston College, the University of Mississippi, the University of Nevada at Las Vegas, Clemson, and Penn State. The firm has placed head coaches for Miami, Yale, and Boise State, among others. And it has helped to find head basketball coaches for Cal. Kansas State, Fresno State and Oklahoma.
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
