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Matt Roan was announced as the AD at James Madison University in April 2024 after previously serving as AD at both Eastern Kentucky (EKU) and Nicholls State. He was the youngest AD in the country at Nicholls State and talks about how those early days prepared him for his role today. The conversation turns to how ADs can interact with a new incoming president that didn’t hire them, and how to prepare to interact with other cabinet members. Roan gives his opinion on how law school helps ADs, leaning on his own experience. Roan and Smith share their thoughts on the athletic department organizational structures moving forward, and discuss trends in AD hires.

• 0:00 Introduction
• 0:20 Strategic Changes to Ticket & Revenue Models
• 5:10 Early Experiences as a Young AD
• 9:45 The Decision to Leave EKU for JMU
• 12:10 Strategies to Keep the Dukes at the Top
• 17:55 Advice for Working with New Presidents that didn’t Hire You
• 22:25 Being a Good Cabinet Member as an AD
• 26:15 Trends in AD Hires and Law School Article
• 31:20 Future Organizational Structures of Athletic Departments
• 35:00 Researching Industry Problems