Huntington, W.VA. – Marshall appointed Gerald Harrison as his athletic director on Monday.
Harrison spent the last seven years as AD in Austin Peay and replaces Christian Spears, whose contract with the trace was not renewed.
Under Harrison, Austin Peay won 13 sports championships, including three in football. He guided the movement of the governors of the Ohio Valley Conference to Atlantic Sun in 2022. The school recently announced that it will join the United Athletic Conference for all sports in 2026.
“Gerald Harrison embodies the values and vision we appreciate at Marshall University,” said Marshall president Brad D. Smith, in a statement. “His performance history of the championship, strategic innovation and the leadership of people first stood out in each step of our national search. What impressed me most was Gerald's unwavering belief that athletics is not just about victories and losses; it is about building a culture of excellence, raising students and joining a community.”
Before Austin Peay, Harrison had several roles in the athletics departments in Duke and Tennessee. He is originally from Florence, South Carolina, and obtained his degree from Tennessee in 2001.
“I couldn't be more excited to be a member of the Flock and the Huntington community,” Harrison said. “I feel honored to be on the shoulders of so many great leaders and work together to use our rich tradition and history to build a brilliant future, not only for Marshall Athletics, but for the entire university and our community.”
Spears was hired in Marshall in 2022 and led the transition from the US Conference School to Sun Belt. Thunder's pack won the Sun Belt Football Championship last December.
