Following Phil Longo’s dismissal as head football coach, Sam Houston is expediting its athletics director search and aims to name its next AD before the December break
For Immediate Release
October 30, 2026
Sam Houston Accelerates Search for next Athletics Director
HUNTSVILLE - Sam Houston State University is moving forward with an expedited national search for its next director of athletics, with the search and screening committee beginning its work immediately. The university aims to announce its next athletics director before the December holiday break.
The nine-member committee, chaired by Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Dannie Moore, will work with CSA Search & Consulting to recruit and screen candidates for the position.
“We recognize the importance of identifying the right leader for Bearkat Athletics at this critical time,” said SHSU President Alisa White. “We are moving forward with a focused and expedited search process while remaining committed to selecting a leader who understands our university, supports our student-athletes and can guide our athletic programs into the future.”
The timeline also supports the university’s plans for the football program. Once selected, the incoming director of athletics will begin leading the search for Sam Houston’s next head football coach. Bobby Williams will remain in charge of the Department of Athletics until his retirement in the spring, at which time the incoming director will assume leadership of the department.
Search and Screening Committee
The committee includes representatives from university administration, faculty, Athletics, the student-athlete community and the Texas State University System Board of Regents.
Members are:
Dr. Dannie Moore, Chair, Vice President for Student Affairs
Mr. Alan Tinsley, Regent, Texas State University System Board of Regents
Ms. Hannah Bolin, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Representative
Dr. Somer Franklin, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Chair of the Athletics Advisory Council
Dr. Gerald Kohers, Faculty Athletics Representative, Professor of Information Systems, and Department Chair of Analytics, Information Systems, and Supply Chain
Mr. Dustin LeNorman, Associate Athletic Director, Sports Medicine
Ms. Ivanette Lofton, Director of Financial Planning and Budget
Mr. Chad McCormick, Associate Athletic Director, Sports Operations
Mr. Chris Mudge, Men’s Basketball Head Coach
“I appreciate the committee members’ willingness to serve and the perspectives they bring to this important decision,” White said. “Their work, supported by CSA’s national search expertise, will help us recruit and screen potential leaders prepared to build on the foundation of Bearkat Athletics.”
Building on a Strong Foundation
The search follows the September announcement that longtime Director of Athletics Bobby Williams will retire at the conclusion of the 2026–27 athletic season.
Williams, who has served Sam Houston State for 45 years and led the Athletics department since 1997, will continue to lead the department through the spring until his retirement. The university is planning opportunities to celebrate his contributions and legacy.
The next director will inherit an athletic program that has transitioned to NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision competition and Conference USA while benefiting from substantial investments in athletic facilities, student-athlete support and the fan experience.
With the search process advancing immediately, the university remains focused on selecting a leader who will advance competitive excellence, strengthen institutional partnerships and support the continued success of Bearkat student-athletes.