HEA exists to rethink how Athletic Directors are studied, prepared, and hired.

No Outdated scholarship or expensive searches.

Launched in 2019 to complement Travis Smith’s doctorate program, the work has grown into a modern alternative to traditional executive search and consulting. HEA conducts in-depth research on the AD position—tracking hiring trends, the evolving job profile, and leadership expectations.

The HEA mission is simple:

Build the next generation of Athletic Directors through research-driven insight, not Traditional guesswork.