Gerald Harrison Appointed as Marshall’s New Athletics Director
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – On Monday, Marshall University President Brad D. Smith announced that Gerald J. Harrison will be the new Vice President and Director of Athletics for the Thundering Herd. This appointment, made official after approval by Marshall’s Board of Governors, marks Harrison as the 23rd athletic director in the university’s history. 
Harrison’s official introduction will take place at 11 a.m. on Wednesday in a press conference at Encova Auditorium in the Brad D. Smith Center for Business and Innovation. The event will be streamed live.
“Gerald Harrison embodies the values and vision we uphold at Marshall University,” said President Smith. “His proven record of championship success, innovative strategies, and people-first leadership impressed us throughout the search process. What stood out most was his understanding that athletics is about more than just wins; it’s about fostering a culture of excellence, empowering student-athletes, and strengthening community bonds.”
Harrison joins Marshall from Austin Peay, where he served as Vice President and Director of Athletics since 2018. A native of Florence, South Carolina, Harrison brings his wife, Lisa, and their two daughters, Torri and Lorri, with him to Huntington. His wife, Lisa, is a former track standout at Austin Peay, and their daughter, Torri, currently plays women’s basketball at Western Kentucky.
“I’m incredibly excited to join The Herd and be a part of the Huntington community,” Harrison said. “Thank you to President Smith, the Board of Governors, and the selection committee for entrusting me with this amazing opportunity. I look forward to using Marshall’s rich history to help build a bright future not just for the athletic department but for the entire university and its community.”
Harrison’s leadership at Austin Peay saw tremendous success both on and off the field, with 13 championships—including three in football—and a record 16 consecutive semesters with a department-wide GPA above 3.0. He also achieved record sponsorship revenue and ticket sales in multiple sports, including football, men’s basketball, and baseball. A major milestone during his tenure was securing the largest financial gift in Austin Peay history, a $15 million pledge in 2022.
One of his most notable achievements was a groundbreaking partnership with the Nashville Predators, which led to the creation of Sabertooth Sports & Entertainment and the development of F&M Bank Arena, a new sports and entertainment facility in downtown Clarksville, Tenn. This partnership resulted in a 33% revenue increase in the 2022-23 sports year.
“Working with Gerald has been a privilege,” said Sean Henry, CEO of the Nashville Predators. “From the arena project to his broader impact in Clarksville and Nashville, he’s demonstrated tremendous leadership and vision. It’s no surprise that Marshall has selected Gerald as their next AD, and I look forward to watching him continue his success at Marshall.”
Harrison’s strategy for athletics focuses on the well-being of both student-athletes and fans, with a commitment to community engagement. His efforts in Clarksville included his student-athletes averaging 25 hours of community service each, further solidifying his focus on holistic success.
During his time at Austin Peay, Harrison also made significant strides in hiring top-tier personnel, bringing in 16 coaches who collectively won six Coach of the Year honors. He also renegotiated important partnerships to improve resources for athletes, including the 2022 deal with Under Armour and BSN.
Harrison’s experience also includes navigating conference transitions, overseeing Austin Peay’s move from the Ohio Valley Conference to the Atlantic Sun Conference in 2022, and announcing their future move to the United Athletic Conference in 2026.
“I’ve been fortunate to work closely with Gerald during his time at Austin Peay,” said Jeff Bacon, Commissioner of the Atlantic Sun Conference. “He has been a tremendous asset to our conference, and while he’ll be missed, Marshall is gaining a fantastic leader and person.”
Before his time at Austin Peay, Harrison had a distinguished career at Duke University, where he served as Senior Associate Director of Athletics for Internal Affairs and played a key role in securing funding for the $100-million renovation of Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium. He also helped lead Duke football to five bowl appearances in six seasons under Coach David Cutcliffe.
Additionally, Harrison worked at the University of Tennessee as the Director of Community Relations and later as Director of High School Relations, where he played a key role in improving the Vols’ recruiting efforts.
“Gerald is an exceptional administrator, fundraiser, and manager of people,” said Phillip Fulmer, former head coach and athletic director at Tennessee. “Marshall is getting a wonderful leader who truly cares about student-athletes and coaches, and I have no doubt he’ll do great things there.”
Harrison has also contributed to the NCAA, serving on the Division I Council, the NCAA Football Oversight Committee, and other key committees. He is a member of the National Association of College Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA).
Marshall’s search for a new athletic director was assisted by CarrSports Consulting.
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