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ULM Athletic Director John Hartwell Resigns After Two-Year Tenure With The Warhawks

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Football

(BCSNN) — John Hartwell has resigned as athletic director at the University of Louisiana Monroe, the school announced Monday, ending a tenure that lasted two years and six months. Hartwell, who was hired in February 2023, said he will be “pursuing other professional opportunities,” though no specific destination has been disclosed.

Hartwell’s departure comes amid a period of transition for ULM Athletics. The Warhawks struggled across several major sports in the 2024 season, finishing last in the Sun Belt Conference in both men’s basketball and baseball. The football program, under first-year head coach Bryant Vincent, started 5–1 but ended the season on a six-game losing streak, finishing two games below .500.

Despite the on-field results, Hartwell was credited with several key hires, most notably Vincent, whose early success generated optimism around the football program. Sports Talk West Monroe’s Sean Fox noted that Hartwell “gained a lot of credibility” from the Vincent hire, calling it a “huge feather in his cap”.

The university has not provided a detailed explanation for Hartwell’s resignation, though speculation has emerged about internal dynamics following the arrival of ULM President Dr. Carrie Castille in May. Castille, described as highly engaged in athletics, emphasized her commitment to the Sun Belt Conference and said a transition plan is already in place. “We will be making that plan known as soon as the logistics are finalized,” she said in a statement.

ULM’s athletic department has long faced budgetary constraints, ranking among the lowest-funded programs in the FBS. The school recently eliminated its women’s tennis program, underscoring the financial pressures that may have influenced Hartwell’s decision. Fox added that “funding of ULM’s athletic department has been an issue for years,” suggesting that budget debates may have played a role.

An interim athletic director will be named soon, according to the university. As ULM prepares for the upcoming academic year, the administration is expected to launch a national search for Hartwell’s permanent successor. In his farewell, Hartwell expressed gratitude to “student athletes, coaches, senior staff, donors, alumni, and all of Warhawk nation” for their support.