Bryan Blair officially hired as New Syracuse AD

[BillSU]

Bryan Blair:

During Bryan B. Blair's tenure as Athletic Director (2022–2026), the University of Toledo achieved record-breaking performance in both revenue and non-revenue sectors, leading to the department winning the Cartwright Award for the best overall program in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) for three consecutive years.
University of Toledo Athletics +1

Revenue Sports Performance
Toledo's primary revenue-generating sports, football and men's basketball, maintained high levels of success and national visibility.
The Daily Orange +1

• Football: Won the 2022 MAC Championship in Blair's debut year and consistently appeared in high-rated bowl games, such as the 2024 GameAbove Sports Bowl which drew over 2 million viewers.
• Men’s Basketball: Secured back-to-back MAC regular-season titles in 2023 and 2024, achieving a dominant 62-13 conference record over a four-year period.
• Attendance: Led the MAC in attendance for both football and women's basketball (often considered a top revenue driver at Toledo).
  University of Toledo Athletics +4

Non-Revenue Sports and Overall Department Success
Under Blair's leadership, the Rockets captured 13 MAC Championships across all sports, including tennis and cross country.
Yahoo Sports +1

• Academic Excellence: Non-revenue sports contributed significantly to an all-time high department-wide cumulative GPA of 3.437 in 2023.
• Graduation Success Rate (GSR): Seven teams achieved a perfect 100% GSR, including soccer, swimming & diving, and volleyball.
• NIL Innovation: Blair established the first NIL collective in the MAC and secured national brand deals for non-revenue teams, specifically women's basketball.
  University of Toledo Athletics +2

Financial and Revenue Ratings
Blair was recognized as an "elite revenue generator" by the University of Toledo.

• Fundraising Growth: Increased major and planned gifts by 282% since 2022.
• Rocket Fund Support: Saw a 71% increase in annual donor support.
• Strategic Revenue: Launched new revenue streams including the Venture Courtside Club and hosted major events like concerts at the Glass Bowl.
• National Ranking: Named to the Sports Business Journal "Forty Under 40" list in 2024 for his influence in sports leadership.
  University of Toledo Athletics +5

As of March 11, 2026, reports indicate Blair is expected to leave Toledo to become the Athletic Director at Syracuse University.

 

[qdawgg]

You think they have their guy already for basketball?

Everyone thought the AD was a done deal. Idea of who they want as a coach may be done but if the BOT hasn’t approved Blair (tomorrow I know) there’s zero chance they have a guy yet for BB. Might be 95% sure as a result of discussions in the interview process but AD isn’t even official yet.

 

[bnoro]

Let's get to work!

In addition to that I'm gonna need you two, Frozen and bnoro to go best 2/3 rock paper scissors to decide who gets to keep the avatar.

I think I had it first, but I rarely keep mine too long...

For you, I'll make a change

 

[Chip]

I think I had it first, but I rarely keep mine too long...

For you, I'll make a change

One down.

Cheri and RF, you're on the clock. Throws me off every time.

 

[LpoolNative]

 

[djorange1989]

Uh huh.. not buying it

 

[Brian Orange]

Let's be real his track record on hiring coaches doesn't matter. He needs to hit the hoops one which I think is already done, and football when Fran gets poached or cooked.

Agree. Same thing with Wildhack. His legacy will have much to do with how Fran plays out, good or bad.

 

[shu 49]

It was shared within our circle that Carp bombed his interview

Really how do u not have ur stuff together for a HIGH paying job.

 

[shu 49]

And honestly I’m actually happy this could be the guy after hearing about Carp. Go look at his bio. This guy is legit and he did a lot at Toledo since he got there. And give me a guy that has been an AD over one who hasn’t. I love this

U know a lot of stuff most people don’t. Trust ur judgement.

 

[CU44SE]

I think I had it first, but I rarely keep mine too long...

For you, I'll make a change

You were the first to report him. I went back and looked because I knew someone reported it yesterday. Kudos. You said this weekend. Based on what Richmond said, sounds like that was his second interview because he mentioned today he was one of the 4 interviews in NYC last week but didn’t share his name because he was employed by another school as an AD.

Kudos!!

 

[LpoolNative]

Uh huh.. not buying it

Jason should add another S to his last name

 

[MGDCuse]

Toledo Hoops has not been to the tourney in forever but hasn’t had a losing season in 16 years.. so there is that…

1980 I believe.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

B

Post in thread 'Gerry McNamara needs to be the next coach'

Mar 11, 2026

Not sure if this was posted earlier. No idea where this guy is getting his info.

He’s a dumass

• Brooky03

• 

 

[LpoolNative]

B

Post in thread 'Gerry McNamara needs to be the next coach'

Mar 11, 2026

Not sure if this was posted earlier. No idea where this guy is getting his info.

He’s a dumass

• Brooky03

• 

ROFL

 

[FasterCuse]

Seems okay on paper, but only making 365k at Toledo this has a slight smell of a typical SU budget hire.

 

[ezbeezy214]

If this guy is known to be good at raising money for innovative NIL and other causes then I’m fine with it. Good. Job accomplished. I’m just excited because this means HC hire should be coming fast. That being Hodgson/Schertz, less so Calhoun/Siddle then enthusiasm will be back and the money will flow.

 

[qdawgg]

Seems okay on paper, but only making 365k at Toledo this has a slight smell of a typical SU budget hire.

I mean, besides all the other stuff…..

You don’t like the hire because he didn’t make enough at his previous job

 

[Briancuse]

He's missing a b from his name.

 

[007]

You were the first to report him. I went back and looked because I knew someone reported it yesterday. Kudos. You said this weekend. Based on what Arizona said, sounds like that was his second interview because he mentioned today he was one of the 4 interviews in NYC last week but didn’t share his name because he was employed by another school as an AD.

Kudos!!

Arz is a good man. But richmondcuse03 is the guy with the intel on this...

Yea I heard he interviewed a while ago but didn’t post his name as he has a job. He must have crushed the interviews. Intrigued to learn more. Lot to like on paper.

 

[FasterCuse]

I mean, besides all the other stuff…..

You don’t like the hire because he didn’t make enough at his previous job

Don’t get me wrong this is way better than Lyke, but with conference realignment right around the corner, I’m not sure the AD from Toledo is going to be the best person to represent us in those discussions. I would have rather had someone that is in a current position of more power/influence. Maybe we can get ADJW to stay on as a special consultant to the AD.

 

[CapitalO]

We are all in on Toledo guys

Yes we are

 

[Maxsumm]

 

[Chip]

Don’t get me wrong this is way better than Lyke, but with conference realignment right around the corner, I’m not sure the AD from Toledo is going to be the best person to represent us in those discussions. I would have rather had someone that is in a current position of more power/influence. Maybe we can get ADJW to stay on as a special consultant to the AD.

He'll be the AD from Syracuse at that point.

Raise enough money, and the rest will work itself out.

 

[Orangezoo]

He's missing a b from his name.

A b and an S…

 

[PeteCalvin]

“The Count of Monte…Crisco, by Alexan-Dray Dumass. Dumb A S S?!”

Update: Bravo to all who took the low hanging fruit on this one!