Rutgers Appoints LSU’s Keli Zinn as Athletic Director

Jul 30, 2025, 01:23 PM ET

Rutgers is shaking things up in it’s athletic department, officially naming Keli Zinn as its new Athletic Director. This hire fills a void that’s been open for about a year, bringing in a leader with a proven track record from her previous roles.

Zinn arrives in new Brunswick with critically important experience, having served as the Deputy AD and Chief Operating Officer at LSU as 2022. Before her time in Baton Rouge, she held various positions at West virginia, Maryland, and even with the Big East conference. Starting August 6th,she’ll be at the helm,overseeing all 24 of Rutgers’ men’s and women’s varsity sports.

The enthusiasm for Zinn’s arrival is palpable, especially from Rutgers President william F. Tate IV, who also recently transitioned from LSU. “Keli Zinn brings the strategic drive, operational excellence, and championship pedigree we need right now for Rutgers Athletics,” Tate stated. he emphasized that her leadership aligns perfectly with Rutgers’ core values: achieving competitiveness, upholding integrity, and fostering excellence in the student-athlete experience. He sees Zinn as the key to ushering in a new era for Rutgers Athletics, leveraging what he calls the “Rutgers Edge.”

It’s been a bit of a bumpy road for Rutgers Athletics in the AD chair. The position has been vacant since Pat Hobbs’ abrupt resignation last August. Hobbs cited health concerns, but a later inquiry revealed an improper relationship with a gymnastics coach. Since then, Ryan Pisarri served as interim AD before moving on to a similar role at Tufts University. Matthew Colagiovanni then stepped in as acting AD before Zinn’s appointment.

Zinn’s contract, which was greenlit by the Rutgers Board of Governors, is for five years. she’ll start with a salary of $1.35 million in her first year, with annual increases of $50,000. Adding to that, she’ll receive a $150,000 retention bonus every two years, showing a clear commitment from the university.

One of Zinn’s immediate challenges will be bolstering rutgers’ Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) program. Building a robust and competitive NIL operation is crucial for attracting top talent,something the Scarlet Knights have found challenging,particularly in their more prominent sports. The goal is to create a program that can generate significant NIL revenue.

When asked about her priorities, Zinn highlighted revenue generation as a constant focus. “It’s absolutely a necessity and critical for our success,” she said, “but also to do so in a way where the customary fundraising side of things and the ability to raise capital and support the university capital projects can both thrive together.” This suggests a balanced approach, aiming to grow both NIL opportunities and traditional fundraising efforts simultaneously.

Zinn’s extensive background includes over a decade at West Virginia, where she rose through the ranks, eventually becoming deputy athletic director from 2016 to 2022. Her career also includes a stint as assistant AD at Maryland from 2005 to 2010, and she began her journey in athletic governance as a compliance assistant for the big East conference in 2003 and 2004.

How might Keli Zinn’s experiance wiht NIL initiatives at LSU inform Rutgers’ approach to this evolving aspect of college athletics?

A New era for Rutgers Athletics

Rutgers University has officially named Keli Zinn as its new Director of Athletics, effective immediately. The announcement marks a significant shift for the Scarlet Knights athletic program,bringing in a leader with a proven track record of success from louisiana State University (LSU). This move is being closely watched by fans of Rutgers sports, college athletics analysts, and the Big Ten Conference community.

Keli Zinn’s Background and Experience

Zinn arrives at Rutgers after serving as the senior Deputy Athletic Director and Chief Operating officer at LSU. Her tenure at LSU was marked by ample growth and achievement, including overseeing several major facility upgrades and contributing to the success of numerous athletic programs.

Here’s a breakdown of her key accomplishments at LSU:

Facility Management: Oversaw the planning and execution of multi-million dollar renovations to Tiger Stadium and other athletic facilities.

Financial Oversight: Played a crucial role in managing the LSU Athletics budget, ensuring fiscal responsibility and maximizing revenue generation.

Strategic Planning: Contributed to the development and implementation of LSU’s long-term strategic plan for athletics.

Fundraising: Assisted in fundraising efforts, securing significant donations to support athletic programs.

Prior to LSU, Zinn held leadership positions at the University of Central Florida and Temple University, building a thorough resume in collegiate athletics management.Her experience spans various facets of athletic department operations, making her a well-rounded candidate for the Rutgers position.

Why Rutgers Chose keli Zinn

The selection of Zinn follows a national search initiated after the departure of former Athletic Director Pat Hobbs. Rutgers University President Jonathan Holloway and the search committee were reportedly impressed by zinn’s vision for the future of Rutgers Athletics, her commitment to student-athlete success, and her ability to navigate the evolving landscape of NCAA athletics.

Key factors influencing the decision included:

Big Ten Alignment: Rutgers’ membership in the Big Ten Conference demands a high level of athletic competitiveness and administrative expertise. Zinn’s experience managing a Power Five program at LSU aligns with these requirements.

Focus on Student-athlete Welfare: Zinn has consistently emphasized the importance of prioritizing the academic and personal development of student-athletes.

revenue Generation: Increasing revenue through fundraising, ticket sales, and media rights is crucial for sustaining a prosperous athletic program. Zinn’s track record at LSU demonstrates her ability to drive revenue growth.

Modernization of Facilities: Rutgers is committed to upgrading its athletic facilities to enhance the student-athlete experience and attract top recruits. Zinn’s experience with facility management will be invaluable in this effort.

Impact on Rutgers Sports Programs

Zinn’s appointment is expected to have a positive impact across all Rutgers sports programs. Her leadership will be especially crucial for programs seeking to elevate their national profile, such as:

Rutgers Football: The football program, under Head Coach Greg Schiano, is aiming to become a consistent contender in the Big Ten. zinn’s support will be critical in providing the resources and infrastructure needed to achieve this goal.

Rutgers Basketball: Both the men’s and women’s basketball programs have shown promise in recent years. Zinn’s leadership will help to build on this momentum and attract top recruits.

Olympic Sports: Rutgers offers a wide range of Olympic sports, and Zinn is committed to providing these programs with the resources they need to compete at a high level.

Navigating the Changing Landscape of College Athletics

Keli Zinn takes the helm at Rutgers during a period of significant change in college athletics. The introduction of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals and the potential for student-athlete compensation are reshaping the competitive landscape.

Zinn’s experience at LSU, a program actively involved in NIL initiatives, will be valuable as Rutgers navigates these new challenges. She will need to:

Develop a comprehensive NIL strategy: Rutgers must establish clear guidelines and support systems for student-athletes pursuing NIL opportunities.

Ensure compliance with NCAA regulations: Maintaining compliance with evolving NCAA rules is essential to avoid penalties and protect the integrity of the athletic program.

Foster relationships with donors and alumni: Securing financial support from donors