Texas expected to extend AD Chris Del Conte to seven years
The University of Texas is expected to extend athletic director Chris Del Conte’s contract by seven years, per a press release from the school this afternoon. The deal will be worth $19.255 million through 2030. The information comes to light as school officials set the agenda for the next Board of Regents meeting. The regents will formally vote to approve the extension next week.
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During the Spring, the University of Southern California was rumored to have interest in Del Conte. Though he was never in danger of leaving, officials understood the importance of locking up the well-respected AD well into the future.
Del Conte was hired from TCU on December 9, 2017. There hasn’t been a dull moment since. Upon his arrival, he immediately worked to streamline the entire athletic department under his direction. Before his arrival, Texas split AD duties between men’s and women’s sports.
His steady hand at the helm has helped the University navigate numerous coaching hires well beyond football and basketball, controversy over the Eyes of Texas, financial uncertainty accompanying Covid, realignment, and myriad other issues in an ever-changing athletic climate.
Realignment, specifically Texas’ move to the SEC, highlights alignment between Del Conte, president Jay Hartzell, and chairman of the UT System Board of Regents Kevin Eltife. For Texas athletics, it truly is a three-man weave with Del Conte running point.
In keeping with his reputation from his time at TCU, Del Conte is known as a strong relationship and bridge builder. This trait lends itself to success when tackling ambitious infrastructure projects that require significant capital raise.
Under his watch, Del Conte has overseen the massive renovation of the South End Zone at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium and the construction of the Moody Center for Texas Men’s and Women’s Basketball. Texas has also upgraded facilities for baseball, softball, rowing, track and field, and swimming and diving.
Del Conte is currently working on a new practice facility for football that’s set to break ground in 2024.
Since legislation began to allow it, Del Conte has also helped with UT’s name, image, and likeness efforts geared towards rewarding Texas student-athletes for their marketability.
With so many balls still being juggled, and so much opportunity for the department, both on the field and with regards to accounting, Texas brass chose the path of continuity.
Chris Del Conte helped to start a lot of things at the University of Texas, now he gets to help finish them.
Hear him in his own words from our YouTube channel, On Texas Football, from a month ago. Please like and subscribe.
