CEDAR CITY, Utah — Doug Knuth is out as Athletic Director at Southern Utah University, effective this morning, sources told HERO Sports.
Knuth was hired in December 2022 and has served in the role for two and a half years. During his tenure, Southern Utah Athletics competed in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), with the football program aligned with the United Athletic Conference (UAC), a football-only FCS league. Prior to SUU, Knuth served as Athletic Director at the University of Nevada, Reno.
In a surprising move, SUU will not appoint an interim from within its current athletics staff.
Instead, the university has tapped recently retired local judge Tom Higbee to serve as interim Athletic Director. Higbee, a respected figure in the Cedar City community, will work closely with President Mindy Benson during a pivotal stretch for the department.
Higbee and Benson will not only need to guide Southern Utah through uncertain waters with conference realignment and the NCAA House settlement looming, but will also be tasked with hiring a new head coach for women’s volleyball. Head Coach Kacey Nady officially resigned on June 9 after four seasons leading the Thunderbirds program.
Knuth’s contract runs through December 31, 2025. While there is buyout language included, it is unclear at this time whether the university is terminating the agreement with or without cause. If without cause, Knuth would be owed the remainder of his salary through the end of the year.
Here is the wording for without cause:
The University may terminate the employment agreement with Knuth without
cause, upon notice to Knuth. Upon such termination, the University will pay to
Knuth a gross payment equal to $200,000.00 OR the total base salary remaining
in the Term, whichever is less. Such payment shall be made by continuing a
regular periodic payroll schedule over the applicable remaining time period,
subject to standard deductions and withholdings.
Earlier this year, a report from Brett McMurphy hinted at a multi-tiered investigation into the SUU Athletics Department, though no further details have been confirmed via the university. In response, Knuth denied the report via X, formerly known as Twitter.
Sources indicate Knuth was notified several days prior to today’s announcement. Athletics staff were informed this morning during an all-staff meeting.
Knuth was selected as Athletic Director following a national search in late 2022 that included finalists Myndee Kay Larsen, Craig Angelos, and Knuth himself.
