Why Keli Zinn is the Ideal Athletic Director for Rutgers Athletics
Since August, Rutgers has been searching for a permanent athletic director. In Keli Zinn, newly appointed president William Tate finds a familiar, experienced leader who understands what it takes to succeed in a power conference.
As reported by ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Rutgers is reportedly targeting Keli Zinn, the Executive Deputy Athletic Director and COO at LSU, to fill the athletic director role. After the university parted ways with the search firm that had been assisting in the search—especially after the top candidate, Brian Lafemina, withdrew—speculation grew that President Tate would take a more hands-on approach to the hiring process.
A West Virginia University graduate, Zinn has a distinguished career that began as a compliance assistant for the Big East Conference. She later worked at the University of Maryland, from 2004 to 2010, eventually rising to Assistant Athletic Director. In 2010, Zinn returned to her alma mater, where she made history as the first woman to lead West Virginia’s athletics department. Most recently, in July 2022, she was hired by LSU as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Deputy AD of Athletics.
As Rutgers continued to struggle in finding a permanent AD, it became evident that President Tate would need to step in to secure the right candidate. Zinn, who shares Tate’s vision for Rutgers Athletics’ future, could be the perfect fit to help the university reach its goals.
Rutgers football coach Greg Schiano, who has been vocal about his influence in major football-related hires, has expressed confidence in the process. At this year’s Big Ten Media Days, Schiano stated that he “has a lot of faith in Amy (Towers) and now President Tate” and that the board would make the right decision.
What should give Schiano confidence is Zinn’s proven track record at LSU. During her tenure, LSU athletics achieved remarkable success, including national championships in baseball, gymnastics, and women’s basketball, along with a Top 10 finish in the Directors’ Cup—ranking the best Division I athletic programs. Under Zinn’s leadership, LSU football has also thrived, with 29 wins in three years, an undefeated season, and the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner, Jayden Daniels.
Zinn brings the business expertise that Rutgers Athletics needs. She was responsible for negotiating LSU’s media rights deals, increasing revenue by 21%. Her experience will be invaluable as Rutgers’ football and basketball teams face the evolving challenges of NIL and revenue sharing in the modern landscape of college sports.
While Rutgers missed out on their previous top choice due to a failure to finalize the deal, with President Tate now at the helm, it’s likely Zinn will be secured for the role.
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