Mizzou Athletics announces series of leadership changes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Mizzou Athletics announced the retirement of one of its most senior administrators, on Tuesday, as Deputy Athletic Director, Chief Operating Officer and Senior Woman Administrator Marcy Girton will retire in mid-August.

This comes after Girton has spent more than three years in Columbia, to wrap up a career that spanned more than four decades in collegiate athletics. She first joined Mizzou Athletics in 2023 and, since then, has help guide the department through some massive changes. Girton helped oversee MU's NIL and revenue-sharing initiatives, served as the sport administrator for both football and softball and even stepped in as the interim athletic director during Mizzou's hunt for a new leader in 2024, following Desiree Reed-Francois' sudden departure.

“I am so appreciative of the incredible opportunity to have spent 43 years in collegiate athletics,” Girton said in a press release. “The greatest joy of this journey has been the privilege of working alongside outstanding student-athletes, coaches and staff who continually strive for excellence and make a meaningful impact on those around them. I am especially thankful to conclude my career as a Missouri Tiger. The people here have welcomed me with extraordinary kindness, support, and friendship, making these final years truly special. Thank you to everyone who has been part of my journey.  I will always cherish the relationships, memories, and experiences that have shaped my career and enriched my life.”

With Girton's retirement comes some changes in the structure of the athletic department's leadership. Athletic Director Laird Veatch and company will now launch a national search for a new position, which is a third Deputy AD. Whoever fills that role will provide leadership across all of the Tigers' Olympic Sports by partnering with head coaches to develop strategies in recruiting, scheduling, budgeting and more. The new hire will also fill Girton's previous role as the department's Senior Woman Administrator.

Mizzou Athletics also announced the hiring of former Louisiana Athletic Director Bryan Maggard, on Tuesday. He will serve as Mizzou's Deputy Athletics Director and Chief Operating Officer, after serving as Louisiana's AD since 2017. At MU, he will also serve as the men's basketball administrator.

Maggard's return to Columbia is a homecoming, as he spent 22 years at Mizzou, prior to his time at Louisiana. While with the Tigers, he served as the Executive Associate Athletics Director, providing leadership across several operational areas and even playing a role in Mizzou's transition into the Southeastern Conference.

He helped Louisiana find quite a bit of success, in his tenure. In Lafayette, he oversaw a department that won 20 Sun Belt Conference Championships, made 23 NCAA postseason appearances in nine years and captured conference titles in football, baseball and softball.

However, his department also thrived financially, as he helped generate a record-breaking $30 million in fundraising by securing the department's largest gift in its history - $15 million.

Maggard was also appointed to the College Football Playoff Selection Committee in March.

"Bryan's extensive leadership experience, proven record of building championship-caliber athletics departments and deep understanding of Mizzou make him an outstanding addition to our Senior Leadership Team," Veatch said in a press reelase. "Bryan embraces our vision and knows what it takes to compete for championships. We're incredibly excited to welcome Bryan, his wife Kerry and their family back to Columbia." 

"I'm incredibly honored and humbled to return to the University of Missouri," Maggard added in a press release. "Mizzou has always held a special place in my heart, and I'm grateful to Laird Veatch for the opportunity to come home and help lead this department into its next chapter. The momentum surrounding Mizzou Athletics is undeniable, and I look forward to working alongside our coaches, staff and student-athletes as we continue pursuing championships that make our university and state proud."

Finally, Mizzou Athletics also announced several promotions. You can find a full look at those below.

• Nick Gruenwald - promoted to Executive Athletics Director/Senior Counsel for Athletics
• Katie Martinez - promoted to Associate Athletics. Director/Olympic Sport Leadership
• Michael Schroeder - promoted to Executive Athletics Director/Chief Brand Officer
• Dave Matter - promoted to Senior Associate Athletics Director/Strategic Communications and Creative Media
• Connor Jordan - promoted to Associate Athletics Director/Strategic Revenues
• Josh Moore - promoted to Associate Athletics Director/Marketing and Fan Experience

"As college athletics continues to evolve, we're intentionally strengthening our sport leadership structure to better support our coaches and student-athletes," Veatch said. "This new deputy athletics director will play a critical role in helping our programs pursue championships by working alongside our coaches on the strategic priorities that drive competitive success. Investing in sport leadership is another important step in building an organizational structure that positions Mizzou Athletics for sustained excellence."