Brent Blaylock Named New Director of Athletics
6/9/2026 2:30:00 PM | General
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - Brent Blaylock will join the University of San Francisco as Director of Athletics, effective June 9. USF has sought an athletic director since October, when Larry Williams, who held the position from 2022–25, passed away while working out on campus.
Blaylock has more than 20 years of experience working in the athletics programs of large state universities, including University of Kansas, University of Arizona, and, most recently, as executive deputy athletic director at Oregon State University.
He has expertise in creating a supportive environment for student-athletes through collaborative leadership teamed with a commitment to strong fundraising. Blaylock will help guide USF in the world of name, image, and likeness (NIL) funding in athletics and will provide strategic leadership on recruiting at a time when the NCAA transfer portal has fundamentally transformed university athletics across the country, said President Salvador D. Aceves '83, EdD '95.
"I look forward to working with Brent to accelerate USF's national reputation as one of the top Jesuit powerhouses, with a storied legacy of athletes dating back to the '51 Dons football team and the back-to-back national champion basketball teams in 1955 and 1956, led by Bill Russell," said President Aceves.
"Together, we will elevate USF Athletics through increased philanthropic engagement, expanded revenue, and by providing outstanding experiences for student-athletes, staff, donors, and fans," Aceves said.
At Oregon State University, Blaylock led the Athletics Department's operational budget process and internal operations, including student-athlete development, diversity and inclusion, compliance and governance, and capital projects. He also led performance and competitiveness initiatives, which were reflected in increases in the number of OSU teams making postseason appearances and conference championships.
Prior to that, at the University of Arizona from 2017–24, Blaylock led the sports administration program and had oversight of team operations across all 22 sports to ensure program support in finance, personnel, and operations. Blaylock was a member of the Arizona Athletics leadership team with responsibilities that included building and leading The Arizona EDGE program for NIL fundraising. He also was instrumental in hiring coaches and overseeing the internal operations of the department.
"I am honored to lead the University of San Francisco Athletics Department during this transformative period for college athletics," Blaylock said. "I am thankful for the confidence that President Aceves and the Board of Trustees have placed in me and for their unwavering commitment to student-athletes. I look forward to expanding upon the university's culture of excellence and supporting the performance of our student-athletes and coaches, as well as taking advantage of new opportunities for growth and success."
In his new role at USF, Brent will lead a department with 250 student-athletes, 14 head coaches, and 22 assistant coaches.
Blaylock graduated from the University of North Carolina with a management degree and minor in coaching education. He holds a master's degree in sport management from the University of Texas and an MBA from the University of Arizona. He and his wife, Kate, and their 7-year-old son, Jack, will be joining the USF community.
Aceves also thanked Stephanie Shrieve-Hawkins, who served as interim director of athletics.
"Having stepped into this role during a period of loss for our community, Stephanie provided steady, capable leadership marked by thoughtful decision-making and a deep commitment to our student-athletes, coaches, and staff," Aceves said. "Her guidance has been instrumental in helping the department move forward with purpose, and we are both grateful and fortunate to have her at USF."
Shrieve-Hawkins will return to her role as deputy athletics director for administration and facilities/SWA.
Blaylock said he is excited to start working with student-athletes, staff, donors and the San Francisco community.
"This program is well-positioned to be bold, forward-thinking, and adaptive, while honoring the university's rich athletic and Jesuit traditions," Blaylock said.
What they are saying:
Joth Ricci
Executive in residence, College of Education, Oregon State University
"Brent is a results-oriented leader who thinks creatively about all aspects of an athletic department. He has a unique ability to be relationships-oriented, a strong decision maker and analytical while being the biggest fan. He will serve USF at a high level."
Tommy Lloyd
Head Men's Basketball Coach, University of Arizona
2026 Final Four, 2022 Associated Press and 2026 Sporting News National Coach of the Year
"The University of San Francisco has made a great hire in choosing Brent Blaylock to lead their athletic department. He was a tremendous asset to our program when I got to Arizona, helping us build the foundation and the culture to set us up for success and I know he is prepared to do that same at USF."
Laura Ianello
Head Women's Golf Coach, University of Texas
2018 National Champion
"The University of San Francisco has made an outstanding hire. Brent has a unique ability to navigate the ever-changing landscape of college athletics, build meaningful relationships, and position programs for success. He genuinely cares about student-athletes, invests in the success and well-being of coaches, and finds the right balance between support and accountability. I know I became a better coach because of his investment in me and our program. Brent is an exceptional leader, and I have no doubt USF will accomplish great things under his leadership."
About USF Athletics
University of San Francisco (USF) Athletics, home of the Dons, sponsors 14 NCAA Division I programs and competes in the West Coast Conference. Guided by the university's Jesuit mission and commitment to developing the whole person, USF Athletics empowers student-athletes to pursue excellence in competition, in the classroom, and in service to their communities. Located at the center of everything San Francisco has to offer, the Dons cultivate leaders prepared to make a positive impact while representing the university with pride, integrity, and ambition. For more information, visit usfdons.com. For updates and more information on University of San Francisco Athletics, follow the Dons @DonsAthletics on X, @DonsAthletics on Instagram, @DonsAthletics on Facebook, @DonsAthletics on TikTok, and subscribe to our YouTube Channel @USFDonsAthletics.
About the University of San Francisco
The University of San Francisco is a private, Jesuit Catholic university that reflects the diversity, optimism, and opportunities of the city that surrounds it. USF offers more than 230 undergraduate, graduate, professional, and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, law, education, and nursing and health professions. At USF, each course is an intimate learning community in which top professors encourage students to turn learning into positive action, so the students graduate equipped to do well in the world - and inspired to change it for the better. For more information, visit usfca.edu.
