Is Mizzou AD Leaves for Arizona? Why is Mizzou AD Leaves for Arizona?
by Mathelene
Updated Feb 20, 2024
Is Mizzou AD Leaves for Arizona?
Yes, the athletics director (AD) of the University of Missouri, Desiree Reed-Francois, is leaving her position to become the AD at the University of Arizona. She's been at Missouri for less than three years but has made big strides, like hiring new coaches and raising a lot of money for sports.
But recently, there have been tensions because a committee was set up to watch over the athletics department, which might have caused some disagreements between Reed-Francois and other leaders. For now, Marcy Girton, who has a lot of experience in college sports, will be the interim AD at Missouri.
Reed-Francois decided to move to Arizona, even though it's facing financial problems, because she has connections there from when she went to law school. Her new job will pay her $1 million a year, with a raise to $1.2 million in the future. Missouri will get about $2.5 million as a buyout for Reed-Francois leaving.
Even though she's leaving, she leaves behind good things at Missouri, like a surplus of money and successful coaching hires. The University of Missouri will now start looking for someone new to be the permanent AD.
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Why is Mizzou AD Leaves for Arizona?
Desiree Reed-Francois, the athletics director at the University of Missouri, decided to leave her position to become the athletics director at the University of Arizona. Even though she had done a lot of good things at Missouri, like hiring new coaches and raising money, there were some disagreements recently because of a new committee overseeing the athletics department.
This might have made her job harder. Reed-Francois chose to move to Arizona because she has ties there from when she went to law school. Even though Arizona has financial problems, she sees potential there and wants to help shape its future. Her new job will pay her $1 million a year, with a raise to $1.2 million later on. Now, Missouri will start looking for someone new to be the permanent athletics director.
Who is Desireé Reed-Francois?
Desireé Don Reed-Francois is an American lawyer and college sports administrator. Currently, she serves as the athletic director at the University of Missouri, but starting March 3rd, she will take on the same role at the University of Arizona. Reed-Francois began her career in athletics administration in 1997 as a compliance assistant at the University of California, Berkeley, after graduating from the University of California, Los Angeles, and later the University of Arizona College of Law.
Over the years, she held various positions in compliance and athletic administration at institutions such as San Jose State, Santa Clara, Fresno State, San Francisco, Tennessee, Cincinnati, and Virginia Tech. From 2017 to 2021, Reed-Francois served as the athletic director at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).
During her tenure, she became the first Hispanic woman to hold a full-time Football Bowl Subdivision athletic director position. At UNLV, Reed-Francois focused on increasing fundraising efforts and oversaw the construction of new facilities, including a practice facility and stadium for the football team.
Reed-Francois brings over 25 years of experience in intercollegiate athletics, with expertise in external operations and sport administration. Her career trajectory highlights her dedication to advancing athletic programs and creating opportunities for student-athletes.
Full Name
Desireé Don Reed-Francois
Date of Birth
May 7, 1972
Birthplace
Fremont, California
Education
- University of California, Los Angeles (B.A.) Affiliations
- Member, Association of American Universities Personal Interests
- Advocacy for diversity and inclusion in collegiate athletics
- University of Arizona College of Law (J.D.)
- Member, Southeastern Conference (SEC)
- Mentorship and leadership development for aspiring sports administrators
Desireé Reed-Francois Age
As of 2024, Desireé Reed-Francois is 51 years old. He was born on May 7, 1972 to an Anglo American father and a Mexican American mother and raised in Fremont, California. She graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1994, where she briefly participated as a walk-on member of the rowing team.
Afterward, she pursued a Juris Doctor degree at the University of Arizona College of Law, graduating in 1997 and becoming a member of the California Bar. During her time in law school, Reed-Francois gained professional experience by working for the Oakland Raiders in 1995.
In this role, she served as a legal associate, focusing on collective bargaining matters related to the team's relocation from Los Angeles. This experience provided her with valuable insight into the legal aspects of sports management and furthered her career in athletics administration.
Desireé Reed-Francois Career
Desireé Don Reed-Francois began her career in athletics administration in 1997 as an NCAA compliance assistant at the University of California, Berkeley. She later worked as a litigation attorney before returning to athletics administration as the director of compliance at San Jose State from 1999 to 2002.
From 2002 to 2017, Reed-Francois held various roles in athletics administration. She served as an associate athletics director for compliance, student services, and legal affairs at Santa Clara, where she also taught sports law courses. She then became the associate athletics director for compliance and student services at Fresno State during a time of NCAA investigation.
Afterward, she joined the University of San Francisco as an associate athletics director before moving to the University of Tennessee as the associate athletics director for strategic projects and initiatives. In 2013, she became the senior associate athletics director at the University of Cincinnati, later serving as the interim athletic director. Reed-Francois then joined Virginia Tech in 2014, where she oversaw the football program.
In 2017, Reed-Francois was appointed as the athletic director at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), making her the first Hispanic woman to lead a Football Bowl Subdivision program. During her tenure at UNLV, she oversaw significant facility improvements and fundraising efforts. In 2021, Reed-Francois was hired as the athletic director at the University of Missouri, becoming the first woman to hold the position at Missouri and any public school in the Southeastern Conference.
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri, also known as Mizzou or MU, is a public research university located in Columbia, Missouri. Established in 1839, it holds the distinction of being the first public university in the western United States. With over 31,000 students enrolled in 2023, MU offers a wide range of academic programs across thirteen divisions, including the renowned Missouri School of Journalism, which was the world's first journalism school.
MU is a member of the Association of American Universities and is recognized for its high level of research activity. It operates the University of Missouri Research Reactor Center, which is the primary source of isotopes for nuclear medicine in the country. Additionally, MU oversees University of Missouri Health Care, which includes hospitals and clinics in the Mid-Missouri region.
Athletically, MU's teams, known as the Missouri Tigers, compete in the NCAA Division I Southeastern Conference. The university also boasts a rich history, claiming to be the birthplace of the American tradition of homecoming. MU has produced notable alumni, faculty, and staff, including Rhodes Scholars, Truman Scholars, Fulbright Scholars, governors of Missouri, and members of the U.S. Congress.
Two individuals affiliated with MU have been awarded the Nobel Prize: Frederick Chapman Robbins in Physiology or Medicine in 1954 and George Smith in Chemistry in 2018.
Is Mizzou AD Leaves For Arizona? - FAQs
Desiree Reed-Francois is leaving Mizzou to take on the role of athletic director at the University of Arizona.
Reed-Francois made significant strides in energizing Mizzou athletics, including hiring new coaches, spearheading stadium renovations, and securing a record-breaking donation for the athletics department.
Tensions may have arisen due to the establishment of an oversight committee to monitor the athletics department, potentially creating friction between Reed-Francois and higher-level administrators.
Marcy Girton, a senior associate athletics director with extensive experience in college sports, will serve as the interim AD at Mizzou.
Desiree Reed-Francois will serve as the athletic director at the University of Arizona, starting on March 3rd, 2024.