Rick George, the architect of Colorado’s athletic resurgence and one of the most influential figures in modern college sports, announced Thursday that he will step down as the University of Colorado’s athletic director at the end of the academic year.

George will transition into a special advisor role to Chancellor Justin Schwartz and serve as Director of Athletics Emeritus.

George, who returned to Boulder in 2013 after a successful executive stint with the Texas Rangers, leaves behind a legacy defined by bold leadership and national impact. He was instrumental in hiring Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders in December 2022, a move that catapulted Colorado football into the national spotlight and sparked a surge in ticket sales, media coverage, and recruiting momentum.

He also led Colorado’s return to the Big 12 Conference in 2024, a pivotal decision that contributed to the unraveling of the Pac-12 following the exits of USC and UCLA. Under George’s leadership, CU Athletics saw record fundraising, the construction of a state-of-the-art athletics facility at Folsom Field, and national recognition — including being named the 2023–24 Athletic Director of the Year by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics.

George’s career in athletics spans more than four decades, including time on Bill McCartney’s staff during Colorado’s 1990 national championship season. He also served on the College Football Playoff Selection Committee and the NCAA Division I Council.

"It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as Athletic Director for the University of Colorado for the last 13 years, but after considerable thought and discussions with my family dating back to last spring, I have decided it is time for new leadership to guide the department," said George.

The university has not yet announced a timeline or search committee for his successor.