The UCLA Bruins have decided on the next Athletic Director to lead the university into the future, selecting Martin Jarmond from Boston College as the ninth Athletic Director in Bruin athletic history. Jarmond has been the Athletic Director at Boston College for the past three years, where he was the youngest AD at a power conference school. Jarmond will be the first African American athletic director in UCLA history.
Prior to his three years at Boston College, Jarmond was a deputy director of athletics at Ohio State University for eight years. He served as sport administrator for football, men's basketball, baseball, and men's and women's golf programs, and was a member of the AD's executive leadership team where he participated in strategic planning and directed search committees for coaches and administrators.
A native of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Jarmond played college basketball at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, from 1997-2001 and appeared in 49 games, making three starts. He was a two-time captain for the UNC Wilmington Seahawks and earned All-Academic honors in the Colonial Athletic Association in 2001. Jarmond was also the associate athletic director at Michigan State University from 2003 to 2009.
UCLA Chancellor Gene Block was enthusiastic over the hiring of Jarmond, stating that, "Martin is a principled, proven leader with a deep commitment to values that align with UCLA's mission. From Rafer Johnson to John Wooden, this program has always inspired our student-athletes and supporters alike to persevere and excel. I am confident Martin will help UCLA carry on that storied tradition, with his exceptional leadership, high integrity and excitement for our future."
"UCLA is an aspirational program in intercollegiate athletics," Jarmond said. "Steeped in history and success, the tradition of legends and barrier-breakers who call themselves Bruins is unmatched. I am humbled by and grateful for the opportunity to serve as the Alice and Nahum Lainer Family Director of Athletics. UCLA Athletics aligns with my tenacious commitment to developing young men and women to be their best academically and athletically."
Jarmond will replace the retiring Dan Guerrero, who has held the role for 18 years. Jarmond has agreed to a six-year contract with guaranteed compensation of $1,030,000 and a one-time signing bonus of $339,900 the first year, and compensation averaging $1.4 million annually over the term, plus incentives. He will assume his new duties on July 1, 2020.
In 1997, Sports Illustrated selected UCLA as the No. 1 Athletic University in the entire country. That was under the late Pete Dalis, who was replaced by Guerrero in 2002. Under Dalis, the Bruins won six conference championships in football and went to five Rose Bowl games. Under Guerrero, the Bruins never won a conference championship in football or went to a Rose Bowl game.
The big challenge for Jarmond will be to get the football team back to where the fans and alumni think it should be, which is competing and winning conference championships. The record under Guerrero in football was the worst in UCLA football history. In Guerrero's defense, the Bruins have won 32 NCAA team championships in 15 different sports during his tenure, the most under any current NCAA Division I athletic director.
Unfortunately, none of these 32 championships were in basketball or football. The basketball team looked much improved under first year head coach Mick Cronin. They did not win a championship under Guerrero in basketball, but at least made three final fours. The football team is 7-17 under current football head coach Chip Kelly. Hopefully, Jarmond will be able to tap into his experience as the football sports administrator at Ohio State, one of the best college football programs in the nation, to help improve the UCLA football program.
The expectations will be high for Jarmond and not just because he is a rising star in the world of college athletic administration. UCLA has won 118 NCAA Championships, second only to Stanford in the nation. Winning national championships at UCLA is expected. Jarmond will be measured by his ability to achieve success in football and basketball. For Bruin alumni and fans, it is just that simple.
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