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Syracuse University has announced that Bryan Blair will be its new athletic director, succeeding John Wildhack, who is retiring after a decade in the role. Blair, who has been the vice president and athletics director at the University of Toledo since 2022, is known for his strong fundraising skills and leadership in athletics.
Blair's appointment marks a significant change for Syracuse, which has recently undergone several leadership shifts, including the hiring of a new chancellor, Mike Haynie, and the dismissal of basketball coach Adrian Autry. Haynie expressed confidence in Blair's ability to lead, calling him "a fierce competitor" and "a visionary" who will take Syracuse Athletics to new heights.
Blair himself is eager to embrace the opportunity, stating, "The best days of Syracuse Athletics are ahead of us, and I am honored to have the opportunity to lead the program to new levels of excellence." His initial priorities will include finding a replacement for Autry and revitalizing the basketball program, which has not reached the NCAA tournament since 2021.
During his tenure at Toledo, Blair led the Rockets to 13 Mid-American Conference (MAC) championships and established the first NIL collective in the conference. His background includes roles at Washington State, Rice, and South Carolina, and he holds a law degree from South Carolina.
The Syracuse board is expected to give final approval for Blair's hiring soon, with an official announcement anticipated shortly thereafter. As Blair prepares to take on his new role, the Syracuse community looks forward to a revitalized athletics program under his leadership.