Joe Parker will step down as Colorado State athletics director after nearly nine years, the school announced Monday.
John Weber, a Colorado State alum, will take over as interim athletic director. Weber has served as executive director of the Rams name, image and likeness collective. Parker will become a special advisor to CSU President Amy Parsons.
Hired in March 2015, Parker signed a five-year extension on July 28, 2022 that was expected to keep him in the athletics director role until the end of 2027.
During his tenure, Parker saw a new on-campus stadium open in 2017 and spearheaded a 15-year, $37.7 million naming rights deal in April 2018 with Canvas Credit Union.
He also conducted a “climate assessment” on the basketball program under former coach Larry Eustachy, leading Eustachy to resign in February 2018. Parker hired Niko Medved, who guided the Rams to the NCAA tournament in the 2022 season and has the team out. to a 20-6 start this season along with a No. 22 ranking in the most recent AP Poll. The women's team is 16-9 this season under longtime Rams coach Ryun Williams.
Under his direction, Parker has gone through several football coaches. He gave Mike Bobo an extension before Bobo resigned two seasons later. Steve Addazio lasted two difficult seasons in Fort Collins before being fired, paving the way for the hiring of Nevada's Jay Norvell. The Rams finished 3-9 in the 2022 season under Norvell and 5-7 last season.
“It has been a privilege to serve Colorado State University and our students in this role,” Parker said in a statement. “I also want to thank our many donors, partners and fans for helping to advance the department and position CSU Athletics for a very bright future.”
The Rams captured 24 Mountain West Conference championships under Parker's tenure. He also served on several NCAA and Mountain West committees.
Prior to Colorado State, he was assistant athletic director at Texas Tech.
“Joe has been instrumental in the success of all of our athletic programs during his tenure at CSU,” Parsons said.
