Kansas has hired Northwestern manager Travis Goff as its new athletic director, the school announced Monday.
Goff, a Sunflower native who graduated from KU, called it a thrill to return to Lawrence, Kansas, in what he called “one of the most humiliating responsibilities and opportunities in college athletics.”
“Our goal will remain focused on promoting the academic, social and athletic development of our student-athletes; supporting our talented coaches and staff; connecting with graduates and donors; and, most importantly, building a culture that allows 16 proud programs to compete for the Big 12 national conferences and championships while representing our department, institution and community, ”he said in a statement.
Goff has been with Northwestern since 2012, most recently as Deputy Director of Athletics and Assistant Vice President for Development. He played a fundraising role that led to the massive improvement of facilities in the Northwestern and oversaw football, baseball and volleyball programs.
Kansas has been looking for a sports director since Jeff Long resigned almost a month ago.
Long was responsible for hiring Les Miles, with whom the school broke up amid allegations of sexual misconduct dating back to the time of the football coach at LSU. Long initially said he would lead the search for Miles to be replaced, but criticism of his diligence in hiring his longtime friend, along with massive public outcries, led to his decision to resign.
“Travis stood out among the candidates because of his experience, his reputation as an integrated man and his proven ability to connect with faculty, staff, graduates and donors,” KU Chancellor Douglas Girod said in a statement. “I am very impressed with Travis’ vision for KU. Travis understands the challenges we face and the changing landscape of collegiate athletics. At the same time, it is well positioned to help us build on our recent successes in student-sports care, diversity and inclusion, as well as student-athlete academic achievements. Being a Jayhawk is an added bonus and will no doubt serve him well as Kansas Athletics advances. “
Goff’s first major task will be to determine what to do with a football program that is already going through spring training, under coach Emmett Jones, who was chosen to serve as interim coach last month.
The Jayhawks down lost all nine games last season. They haven’t had a winning season since Mark Mangino was on the sidelines in 2008.
Goff returns to Lawrence after working under former Northwestern athletic director Jim Phillips, who left school in the Chicago suburb of Evanston earlier this year to become commissioner of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Goff grew up in Dodge City, southwestern Kansas. He graduated in 2002 with a degree in journalism and sociology, then obtained an MBA in Tulane, where he worked as an associate athletic director for foreign affairs.
He is the sixth athletic director for the Jayhawks since Bob Frederick retired in 2001.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.