TurnkeyZRG Assists Southern Methodist University with Director of Athletics Search
April 8, 2025 – TurnkeyZRG has assisted in the recruitment of Damon Evans as the new director of athletics for Southern Methodist University (SMU). Chad Chatlos, managing director, college & coaching practice, led the search. “Our goal was to find a leader who shared our vision for the future of SMU Athletics – one of continued and even greater national prominence,” said search committee co-chair and board of trustees chair David B. Miller, a former SMU student-athlete. “We found that in a world-class athletic director with experience leading in both the Big 10 and SEC conferences, and who will bring bold, innovative ideas to our campus. Damon has led two top-tier athletics programs, and now he will lead a third. Damon’s knowledge, experience and extensive contacts in intercollegiate athletics will be invaluable in leading our Athletics program to even greater success in the ACC while strategically navigating the evolving NIL landscape.”
“SMU’s future in athletics is bright, and Damon is the right leader to drive us forward,” search committee co-chair and board of trustees vice chair Richard K. Templeton said. “We are thrilled to welcome him and his family to Dallas and look forward to the impact he will have on our program and on the Mustang community.”
Mr. Evans had been named the Barry P. Gossett director of athletics at the University of Maryland in June 2018. Under his leadership, the Terrapins have won 49 Big Ten championships and tournament titles. The program has earned seven national championships since 2014, when Mr. Evans joined Maryland as the executive athletic director and chief financial officer. He oversees a department with 20 varsity sports, 500 student-athletes, a full-time staff of over 200 and an annual budget exceeding $120 million.
“While it is never easy to leave an institution that has become part of your family, the opportunity to come to SMU was too great to pass up,” said Mr. Evans. “SMU has tremendous momentum in all aspects of its Athletics program, but I believe we can push to even greater heights. I am honored to join the University and to be a part of something truly special.”
Mr. Evans was recently appointed to a three-year term to the College Football Playoff Selection Committee. He is also a member of the NCAA Transformation Committee and has served as chair of the NCAA Leadership Council. Before Maryland, Mr. Evans held several management roles in the private sector, including as managing partner at Evolution Sports Partners, vice president of fundraising at IMG College – where he was tasked with developing the company’s fundraising arm – and vice president of business development at the Markley Group. As the university of Georgia’s athletics director from 2004 to 2010, Mr. Evans oversaw a program with 600 student-athletes, a staff of 250, and an $85 million budget.
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Southern Methodist University is a private research university in University Park, TX. The Mustangs currently participate in the NCAA Division I (FBS for football) as a member of the ACC. The Mustangs have a rich history in college sports, particularly in football, basketball, and soccer, but they also field competitive teams in sports like swimming, tennis, golf, and volleyball.
Sports, Media and Entertainment Specialists
Founded in 1996, TurnkeyZRG is a specialized talent recruitment/executive search firm filling C-level, senior-level and mid-management-level positions throughout sports, media and entertainment. Over the past 25 years, the firm has filled more than 1,400 positions. TurnkeyZRG helps teams, leagues, stadiums, arenas, theaters, college athletic departments, events, sponsors, agencies, media companies, private equity companies and other clients identify, recruit, and hire the best management talent.
TurnkeyZRG Recruits Director of Athletic for the University of Iowa
TurnkeyZRG recently assisted in the recruitment of Beth Goetz as the director of athletics for the University of Iowa. Past athletics director Gary Barta announced last year that he is retiring after 17 years at the university. “Beth is a talented and dynamic leader, and the national search we conducted has substantiated that she is the best athletics director for the University of Iowa,” said Barbara Wilson, president of University of Iowa. “She has done a remarkable job as interim, and I am confident she will lead our athletics department and student-athletes to new levels of achievement both on the field of play and in the classroom.”
Len Perna is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Turnkey. He has 30-plus years’ experience in the sports and entertainment industry, with senior-level management experience in sales, event marketing and management, sponsorships, venue feasibility and development, facility operations, licensing, and legal affairs. Since founding Turnkey, Mr. Perna has managed over 1,400 executive searches.
Mr. Chatlos specializes in senior executive searches across the sports industry with a focus on diverse roles in the ever–changing landscape of Intercollegiate Athletics. He has completed multiple Power Five commissioner searches for the ACC, Pac-12, Big 10 and Big 12. Mr. Chatlos has also placed multiple Power 5 head football coaches and played a pivotal role in the NCAA president search. Prior to joining TurnkeyZRG, Mr. Chatlos started and ran the sports & entertainment practice at Ventura Partners. With more than 15 years of experience in sports marketing and event management, he has property, agency, and corporate experience in the business of sports. Throughout his career, Mr. Chatlos has completed searches for the NFL, NBA, MLB, MLS, multiple National Governing Bodies, and several brands as well.
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
