Eric George joined the Rice Owls in late 2023 after 4 years at Clemson where he started as the Senior Associate AD/CFO before being promoted to Deputy AD. He is a business-minded strategist with a CPA that has worked for some incredible athletic directors. This conversation is mostly focused on how George thinks in his job, how he learns from others, and how he and his wife processes opportunities that led him to Rice and the ones that he will have in the future. I finish by asking Eric about the trend in FBS AD hires going younger lately and how that might change his approach. Eric is very focused on his deputy role at Rice and learning from Tommy McClelland, but I know he will be a great AD for some school at some point.
- 0:00 Introduction
- 2:25 Proud Rice Initiatives So Far # 1
- 5:45 HEA: AD Chair Strategy Sessions
- 7:18 Proud Rice Initiatives So Far # 2
- 8:50 AD Vantage – Where Victory is Vetted
- 10:10 Learning from Great Athletic Directors
- 13:55 Studying Athletic Director Content & Interviews
- 16:35 How Eric Keeps Thoughts Organized for Future AD Role
- 23:55 Career Design & Processing Opportunities
- 33:40 Onrise – Mental Health Care for Athletes
- 34:41 Balancing AD Ambitions with Deputy AD Demands
- 37:20 The Evolving Role of the FBS Athletic Director
- 42:40 FBS Presidents Taking Chances on Younger First-Time Athletic Directors