The Search Party is an ongoing series that breaks down athletic director vacancies at schools like Marshall, Southern Utah, Arkansas State, and more.
There’s a vacancy — again — in Cache Valley.
Another domino fell in college athletics’ ongoing game of administrative musical chairs. Utah State athletic director Diana Sabau shocked many when she announced her departure for the University of Maryland, accepting what is effectively the No. 2 position under newly hired AD James E. Smith. But those in the know — especially here at HERO Sports — will tell you Sabau is essentially Maryland’s de facto AD.
It’s not the only leadership shuffle in Logan either; Utah State is also looking for a new president.
Still, Utah State decided to press ahead and hire its next athletic director before waiting for a new university president — a reversal of what many assumed would be standard operating procedure. After all, in higher education, when a president leaves, the “clock” starts for their AD, their head coaches, and increasingly, their entire athletics “front office.” Once President Elizabeth Cantwell left for Washington State, Diana Sabau’s clock started ticking.
The Search is On
According to documents obtained by HERO Sports, Utah State has engaged Huron Sports Consulting to assist in the interim transition. The scope of the agreement spells out a short-term stabilization project: Huron staffers are on-site to support the department’s internal operations, assist with compliance expectations for both the Mountain West and potentially the Pac-12, and provide leadership to key functions until a permanent AD is in place.
Per the agreement:
“The initial engagement is expected to last eight (8) weeks, beginning on or around July 21, 2025, and continuing through approximately September 15, 2025.”
That gives us a pretty clear target date. Sources tell HERO Sports that Utah State hopes to have someone named by Sept. 1, with the search described as moving at “warp speed.” Utah State has even issued an RFP to outside search firms with a one-week turnaround, which has raised a few eyebrows. RFPs are due on Aug. 7. (Don’t be surprised if CSA gets the search)
Quick searches sometimes signal that the process may already be “wired” — and a preferred firm and even a shortlist of candidates may already be at play. While the presence of Huron could suggest they’re a natural choice to help identify candidates, the RFP indicates that Utah State is trying to signal an open process with another outside firm — even if insiders believe things are already in motion behind the scenes.
The Job, the Money, and the Moment
Sabau’s deal with Utah State — $550,000 annually, escalating each year to $619,000 by 2028 — was one of the top in the Mountain West, and would have been second in the new-look Pac-12 behind only Oregon State’s Scott Barnes (roughly $915,000). So whoever steps in will likely command a similar or slightly increased financial package.
From a facilities and program standpoint, this is a highly desirable job.
The Aggies are in the midst of their first-ever comprehensive capital campaign, a university-wide initiative called “Reach and Rise” that includes roughly $30 million already raised for athletics alone. The campaign has a five-year goal of $125 million and includes upgrades to scholarships, facilities, nutrition, mental health services, and overall student-athlete support. Most incoming athletic directors are tasked with launching a campaign; here, the next AD walks into a campaign that’s already rolling — meaning the most critical work ahead is donor stewardship and relationship building, not just cold cultivation. Stewardship is half the battle, and it’s also a portion of fundraising that’s the easiest to forget.
Even more rare is the situation where an AD walks into a campaign that’s already generated significant funds, with many gifts already pledged or secured. It shifts the conversation from “how do we fund it?” to “how do we maximize what’s already in motion?” The challenge becomes less about urgency and more about sustainability. Additionally, no, this doesn’t mean overnight this new AD will have $30 million to play with. Campaign pledges usually range from 5-7 years and culminate in the total. Fundraising PR 101.
Facilities & Culture
Facilities-wise, Utah State’s portfolio is healthy. Maverik Stadium seats just over 25,000 and is widely praised for its design, with premium seating among the closest to the field in the country — a benefit of the soft soil forcing a tighter build. Yes, fans clamor for more seats, but first things first, the next AD’s focus will likely be on selling out current inventory before any expansion.
On the basketball side, the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum remains a beloved, if outdated, building. Its charm and noise levels are legendary, though the structure has been grandfathered into more building codes than most would like to admit. One tweak — say, replacing the famously-colored seats — would trigger major upgrades across the board. Fans swear those colors represent the “fall colors of Cache Valley,” but that was an excellent PR move decades ago that has taken root. You can thank some random defunct professional league for those chairs.
Facilities for practice and other sports? Arguably top-tier. The volleyball and basketball practice setups have garnered high praise, with one Big 12 coach calling them “absolutely perfect” and another volleyball coach stating, “It rivals Power 5 programs.” Women’s soccer — a top-25 program — is undergoing a multi-phase upgrade, including field lights and new amenities.
There are opportunities, too.
The current naming rights deal for Maverik Stadium runs through 2037, allowing for review every four years. Multiple sources confirm that the deal is well below market value — a chance for the new AD to explore a more lucrative agreement. Similarly, the Smith Spectrum’s naming rights have long been a topic of conversation, as no ongoing revenue is tied to the deal. While there’s feasibility in renaming or restructuring that deal, the revolving door of leadership has made consistency difficult.
Wins, Contracts, and Stability
Here’s the real kicker: this is a program that’s already winning — and winning often.
Utah State men’s basketball has made five NCAA Tournament appearances in the past seven years — technically six if you count the COVID year when they won the conference title. That run came under four different head coaches. Yes, four. And Craig Smith, who owns a top-three winning percentage in Mountain West history, was the only one to stick around longer than a few seasons for the “big dance.”
That’s not luck. That’s culture.
And it’s not just basketball. Soccer is 53-21-16 over the last four seasons. Volleyball has a top-tier setup with multiple championships. And now Bronco Mendenhall — yes, that Bronco Mendenhall — leads the football program and is signed through 2030. Jerrod Calhoun (men’s basketball) and Wesley Brooks (women’s basketball) are each signed through 2029. That’s long-term coaching stability in your three core sports — an AD’s dream. No rebuild, no panic hires, no fire drills.
That’s what makes this position so intriguing for sitting ADs. In fact, multiple FBS and FCS athletic directors have reached out to me directly to express interest. In an industry where job openings often stem from scandal, performance issues, or administrative dysfunction, this one is different. This is a job that’s open because the last AD got promoted. That’s the kind of “championship problem” every department in the country would love to have. I love some good championship problems!
For a deeper look on hires at USU, look here and here… shoutout to our friend, Mirage of Wins.
A Hidden Priority
If there’s one long-term hurdle Utah State may face as it ascends into a more prominent role within the restructured Pac-12, it’s geography — specifically, proximity to a commercial airport.
While it hasn’t been a major issue to date, it’s an increasingly relevant factor in recruiting and staff logistics. Logan is more than an hour from Salt Lake City International, and while Ogden does offer limited (one) commercial service, it’s been inconsistent in both routes and reliability.
In contrast, many peer institutions — especially those in larger conferences — boast easy access to regional airports, which streamlines travel for recruits, families, coaches, and staff. It’s a quietly critical factor in today’s arms race. Airports don’t typically appear in facility renderings or media guides, but they often come up in conversations. Long-term, forging relationships with city, state, and regional transportation partners to explore even limited puddle-jump service to Logan would be a meaningful step. It’s not a flashy move, but it’s a smart one — a behind-the-scenes investment in access, competitiveness, and convenience that could pay dividends down the road.
The Road Ahead
Yes, the budget is on the smaller side — Utah State falls in the bottom third of Mountain West athletic department spending. However, several insiders have informed me that with just a modest increase, the Aggies could comfortably compete in a restructured Pac-12. As one conference executive put it:
“They don’t need to be top-third… they just need a little bit more.”
That “more” could come through the aforementioned fundraising campaign, stronger naming rights deals, and deeper stewardship of donor relationships. These aren’t issues, they’re opportunities.
Utah State finds itself in an enviable position. The program is stable, coaches are committed, facilities are functional, and the culture is clearly effective. This isn’t a fixer-upper. This is a house in a great neighborhood, with recent renovations and a strong foundation; it just needs a new owner who is a good fit.
And that’s the question: Are the Aggies going after the best candidate … or the best fit?
Either way, success already lives in Cache Valley — where, as the fight song goes, “the sagebrush grows.” And while sagebrush is often seen as dry or unappealing, in Logan, it stands tall as a symbol of resilience and grit. For the success in Logan, it’s not dead weight — it’s proof of life. Things are on the up for the Aggies and their next athletic director.
