By: Pac-12 Conference

Pac-12 Commissioner Teresa Gould today announced the appointment of Rick Hart as Senior Vice President, Deputy Commissioner, adding a highly respected and experienced college athletics leader to the conference’s leadership team. Reporting to Commissioner Gould, Hart will officially begin his tenure with the Pac-12 on January 12, 2026 as the league continues to build toward its launch for the 2026-27 season. 

In his role, Hart will help lead day-to-day conference and membership operations and oversee several key membership-facing areas in conjunction with department leaders, including football, basketball, Olympic sports, compliance and governance, video operations and student-athlete engagement. In addition, Hart will provide consistent and regular support to and work closely with athletics directors across the league. 

“Rick is a leader who reflects the values that are foundational to the new Pac-12 and how we intend to operate moving forward,” said Gould. “With a proven ability to lead through complexity, create alignment and deliver for student-athletes and key stakeholders, and with experience at every level of Division I, he brings tremendous credibility and perspective to our league as we modernize operations and drive competitive excellence across the Pac-12.”

Hart joins the Pac-12 after most recently serving as director of athletics at Southern Methodist University (2012-25), where he helped guide the Mustangs through a period of significant growth and transition, including the program’s move into the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and its first appearance in the College Football Playoff (CFP). His career also includes roles at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, the University of Oklahoma, the University of North Carolina, East Carolina University and the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Hart also recently joined Altius Sports Partners to serve as a Senior Advisor. 

Hart added: “I am honored to join the Pac-12 at such an important moment. The conference has a proud history and a clear vision for what it can be for its members, student-athletes and communities moving forward. I am excited to work with Commissioner Gould, the Pac-12 staff and Pac-12 member universities to deliver exceptional service, strengthen competitive opportunities, elevate brands and help position the new Pac-12 for success in today’s college athletics landscape.” 

With today’s announcement the Pac-12 continues its build toward the new league’s launch for the 2026-27 season, which will see Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Gonzaga, San Diego State, Texas State and Utah State officially join with Oregon State and Washington State.