Bryan Blair officially hired as New Syracuse AD

[HyattsCuse]

Seems qualified. 2 down, 1 basketball head coach to go!

 

[Bulldog04]

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

 

[Orangezoo]

Yeah the more I read the more I like the pick. Nicely done.

 

[Hawknate144]

Toledo was on the forefront of NIL for a school their size, have been great in the 3 biggest sports, and he has experience and is young enough where he might be here for a long time.

 

[Fly Rodder]

Blair is widely recognized as an elite revenue generator and relationship builder. Since 2022, new major and planned gifts have increased by 282%, including a 92% jump from FY24 to FY25 alone. Annual Rocket Fund support is up 71%, and the 1923 Society—Blair’s philanthropic leadership platform—has surpassed $11.5 million in pledges, with over half of the donors making their first major gift. In 2024, a $4 million commitment from Marcia and Roy Armes became the second-largest cash gift in Athletics history and one of the top five in University history. Blair has also renegotiated major partnerships with Nike and Learfield to maximize revenue and NIL opportunities in a dynamic sponsorship marketplace.

 

[richmondcuse03]

I think an insider or two on here reported that he interviewed the other day

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.

 

[sufan59]

Syracuse is not cheap…..

 

[TommyA13]

Not that this matters in the slightest, but our buddy Bryan Hodgson does follow Blair on X…

 

[Cuseregular]

Holy moly, me likey.

 

[phil77]

At first glance seems qualified and reads well. I don't like curveballs but this one doesn't seem all that terrible. Just don't want another curveball with the basketball coach.

 

[LpoolNative]

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

Okay I have officially formed my own opinion.

This is a HOME-RUN hire!!!

 

[Fly Rodder]

This guy is legit and he did a lot at Toledo since he got there.

not to mention pretty young too, which is a plus for a demanding job and hopefully positions for a relatively long term hire.
A lot to like here:

“Those of us that are maybe a little bit younger in the industry are not bound by what we used to do or what we had to do or tradition,” Blair said. “And certainly being at an institution that’s willing to lean forward and embrace it [is helpful]. … I think that this new change in landscape benefits those with a little bit of a cleaner slate in terms of painting what the future can be unrestricted by what the past was.

 

[Widget24]

Wow, sounds like home run #2 is about to be in the books. Absolutely have to hit the last one out of the park too.

 

[Franz69]

 

[wiseman3]

Seems like a good hire to me.

I think I would have preferred Carp due to his industry connections and positioning us for realignment down the line, was seemingly a bigger "heavy hitter" in the industry. But hey if we win and have great NIL, this seems like it would be great and conference realignment would sort itself out

 

[richmondcuse03]

Wow, sounds like home run #2 is about to be in the books. Absolutely have to hit the last one out of the park too.

I’m happy the committee did a real search and that it’s not Heather. They did their job.

 

[cliftonparksufan]

Bryan B. Blair - Vice President and Director of Athletics - Staff Directory - University of Toledo Athletics

Bryan B. Blair is a nationally respected college athletics leader known for combining enterprise leadership, cutting-edge innovation, and elite program-build...

utrockets.com

I was just going to post this same link. Very impressive. Young guy. Must be extremely energetic. Everything that Wildhack wasn't. Can you picture him, Fran Brown and Bryan Hodgson in one room. Very impressive. Whoops, I already said that once.

 

[JeffCuse]

2 for 2. I dig it.

 

[sufan59]

Not that this matters in the slightest, but our buddy Bryan Hodgson does follow Blair on X…

 

[LpoolNative]

Not that this matters in the slightest, but our buddy Bryan Hodgson does follow Blair on X…

 

[llandz]

Bryan B. Blair - Vice President and Director of Athletics - Staff Directory - University of Toledo Athletics

Bryan B. Blair is a nationally respected college athletics leader known for combining enterprise leadership, cutting-edge innovation, and elite program-build...

utrockets.com

This is an impressive read. I'm all in on this hire.

 

[rocklloyd]

I’d like to see a venn diagram for Hodgson and Blair to figure out if there are intersections

 

[LpoolNative]

Watching now

 

[Ttk.gman2]

 

[hoopsupstate]

Has administrative experience and that’s important.