(BCSNN) — Stanford University has hired former Nike CEO John Donahoe as its new athletic director, a bold move that signals the school’s intent to navigate the evolving terrain of college athletics with a business-minded approach. Donahoe, 65, will officially begin his tenure on Sept. 8, replacing Bernard Muir, who stepped down earlier this year after 13 years in the role.
Donahoe, a Stanford Graduate School of Business alumnus, brings a wealth of corporate leadership experience, having served as CEO of Nike, eBay, and ServiceNow, and as chair of the board at PayPal. His appointment marks a departure from traditional athletic director hires, with Stanford seeking a “unicorn candidate” capable of steering the program through challenges like NIL, media rights, and conference realignment.
“Stanford occupies a unique place in the national athletics landscape,” said university president Jon Levin. “We needed a distinctive leader—someone with the vision, judgment, and strategic acumen for a new era of college athletics, and with a deep appreciation for Stanford’s model of scholar-athlete excellence. John embodies these characteristics”.
Donahoe inherits a program with a storied Olympic sports legacy—Stanford athletes earned 39 medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics—but one that has struggled in marquee sports. The football team has posted four consecutive 3–9 seasons, and the men’s basketball program hasn’t reached the NCAA Tournament since 2014. Former NFL quarterback Andrew Luck, hired last year as general manager of Stanford Football, will now report directly to Donahoe.
With Stanford now competing in the ACC following the collapse of the Pac-12, Donahoe’s leadership will be tested immediately. Interim football coach Frank Reich leads the Cardinal into a season where they’re picked to finish last in the 17-team conference. Donahoe is expected to play a key role in identifying a permanent head coach and reshaping the program’s competitive strategy.
“My north star for 40 years has been servant leadership,” Donahoe said. “It’s a tremendous honor to come back to serve a university I love and to lead Stanford Athletics through a pivotal and tumultuous time in collegiate sports. We have enormous strengths and potential, and I look forward to building momentum for Stanford Athletics and ensuring the best possible experiences for our student-athletes”.