Iowa State hires Jared Benko as new athletics director
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 16, 2026, 5:48 PM
Last updated Oct 16, 2026
Iowa State University announced Jared Benko as its new athletics director on October 16, 2026. Benko served as the executive deputy athletic director at Auburn for two years prior and brings nearly two decades of experience in collegiate athletics. He has held various leadership positions across several universities, including Georgia Southern, where he oversaw significant fundraising achievements. Benko inherits the position from Jamie Pollard, who retired after over two decades. His immediate tasks will include making a key hire to succeed Bill Fennelly, the women's basketball coach, who is set to retire after the 2026-27 season.
- •Jared Benko starts as Iowa State's athletics director after Jamie Pollard's retirement.
- •He previously worked at Auburn and Georgia Southern, enhancing athletic programs.
- •Benko's goals include supporting student-athletes and addressing NIL challenges.
- •He takes over a department with strong fan support and competitive momentum.
- •Benko will oversee the search for the next women's basketball coach.
- 5:48 PMYahoo Sports — Auburn deputy AD Jared Benko announced as Iowa State's next athletics director
- 5:33 PMYahoo Sports — Iowa State hires Auburn's Jared Benko as new athletics director
"Jared Benko, who has been a deputy athletics director at Auburn since November 2024, has been announced as Iowa State's next athletics director.
"After spending nearly two decades in the south and the SEC, Jared Benko has found a new home in the Midwest, where he'll be Iowa State's new AD.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsOct 16, 2026, 5:48 PMAuburn deputy AD Jared Benko announced as Iowa State's next athletics director
Jared Benko, who has been a deputy athletics director at Auburn since November 2024, has been announced as Iowa State's next athletics director.
- Yahoo SportsOct 16, 2026, 5:33 PMIowa State hires Auburn's Jared Benko as new athletics director
After spending nearly two decades in the south and the SEC, Jared Benko has found a new home in the Midwest, where he'll be Iowa State's new AD.
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