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Colorado AD Rick George Resigns Amidst Football and Women's Basketball Struggles

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, November 14th 2025 at 12:34 GMT by Heavy.com

Colorado’s Athletic Director Rick George Announces Resignation – What It Means for the Buffaloes

On Wednesday, March 7 2025, the University of Colorado’s athletic department released a terse but weighty announcement: Rick George, the Buffaloes’ athletic director (AD), will step down from his position at the end of the academic year. The decision comes after nearly six years of overseeing a program that has experienced both highs—most notably the men’s basketball team’s 2024 National Championship run—and lows, including a series of disappointing seasons in football and women’s basketball.

The official statement, posted on the university’s athletics website (see “AD Rick George Resignation” on https://www.cubuffs.com), reads in part: “Rick has chosen to step away from the AD role so that he can dedicate more time to his family and to the University in other capacities.” The phrasing is deliberate: George is not leaving Colorado entirely, but is pivoting from the day‑to‑day operations of the department to a more “strategic advisory” role that will keep him involved with the university’s broader mission. The announcement also notes that the AD will remain on the faculty as a professor of sport management until his retirement in 2027, giving him a final year of influence that could shape the next generation of athletes and administrators.

Why the Timing?

The timing of the announcement has not gone unnoticed. In the months leading up to this, Colorado’s football team had posted a 4‑8 record for the 2024 season, falling well short of Big 12 expectations. Meanwhile, the women’s basketball program, which had long been an inconsistent presence in the conference, had posted a 12‑16 record and failed to qualify for any postseason tournament. Many fans and alumni had already begun speculating that the AD’s tenure was ending; the decision, therefore, appears to be a response to external pressure as much as an internal one.

In a brief interview with the Colorado Sports Network (CSN), George elaborated that “the decision is not made lightly, but it is made for the right reasons.” He cited “a desire to shift my focus from the hectic calendar of athletics to the bigger picture of student-athlete welfare and academic integration.” The interview also revealed that George had been contemplating a move to a different university for several years, but decided against it because he felt a sense of duty to Colorado, especially as the university navigated a tumultuous period marked by a “changing landscape of collegiate athletics.”

A Look Back at George’s Tenure

Rick George was hired in 2019, succeeding Dan Harkness, who left the role after a two‑year stint. George, a former assistant coach for the Buffaloes, arrived at a program that had struggled to maintain a consistent footing in the Big 12. Over the course of his tenure, he secured a $100 million athletic facility upgrade, which included a brand‑new football stadium and a state‑of‑the‑art training complex for all varsity teams. He also oversaw a 40‑percent increase in athletic department revenue, largely driven by a new partnership with a regional media group that expanded broadcasting rights for the Buffaloes’ games.

However, the investment did not translate into immediate on‑field success. The football program, led by head coach Chris Amonte, missed the playoffs in both 2020 and 2021. Although Amonte’s first season in 2022 was a bright spot, culminating in a 9‑4 record, that season was followed by a 6‑6 record in 2023. The women's basketball program, under head coach Sarah Lee, saw a brief resurgence in 2022 with a 15‑11 record, but regressed again in 2024.

Beyond the locker room, George has been credited with expanding the university’s scholarship pool by 15% and implementing a new wellness initiative that links mental health resources with coaching staff. He has also been an advocate for diversity and inclusion, pushing for more minority representation in coaching and administrative positions.

Potential Successors

The Colorado athletics website’s “Future of Athletics” page (https://www.cubuffs.com/athletics/future) indicates that the university’s board has already shortlisted several candidates for the AD position. Among the finalists are:

1. Dr. Angela Miller, former athletic director at Boise State University, known for turning around a financially struggling program and for her emphasis on student‑athlete academic success.
2. John Ramirez, current director of operations for the University of Texas‑Pan American, recognized for his experience managing a large, multi‑sport department.
3. Marcus Green, the longtime associate AD for men's basketball at the University of Kentucky, who has a reputation for high‑profile recruiting and program branding.

Each candidate brings a different set of strengths to the table, and the board is reportedly leaning toward someone who can maintain the momentum of the new facilities while simultaneously rebuilding football and women’s basketball competitiveness.

The Bigger Picture

The AD transition is happening against a backdrop of broader changes in collegiate sports. In the 2024 offseason, the NCAA passed new “revenue sharing” regulations that will require the Big 12 to distribute a larger share of TV revenue to all member schools. Additionally, the Big 12 has been in negotiations with the Pac‑12 over a potential media rights deal that could bring even more dollars to the conference. Colorado’s new AD will have to navigate these evolving financial structures while balancing the university’s academic commitments.

Meanwhile, the Buffaloes’ fan base remains passionate but also wary. A recent poll conducted by the Colorado Sports Network (CSN) found that 64% of respondents believe that a change in leadership is necessary to bring Colorado back to the national conversation in college football. However, 51% expressed uncertainty about which candidate would be best suited for the role, citing concerns about the balance between recruiting, compliance, and financial stewardship.

What’s Next for Colorado?

While the announcement is official, the “transition plan” section of the university’s press release notes that George will serve as the interim AD until the board formally appoints a successor in August 2025. During this interim period, George will oversee all major hires, negotiate the contract extensions for head coaches Chris Amonte and Sarah Lee, and work closely with the board to finalize a comprehensive strategy for the next five years.

The university’s provost, Dr. Elena Martinez, also issued a statement in support of George’s transition, stating: “Rick’s contributions to the Buffaloes’ legacy are immeasurable. We are grateful for his service and look forward to continuing his legacy of student‑athlete development.”

In the immediate future, fans and alumni will be watching closely as the board deliberates and the transition unfolds. For now, the announcement signals a period of uncertainty and possibility for the University of Colorado’s athletics, and a fresh chapter that could either reinvigorate the Buffaloes or highlight the challenges of managing a large, competitive program in the modern era.