COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Director of Athletics Laird Veatch today announced a series of leadership changes that build on the department’s strong foundation while positioning Mizzou Athletics for continued success during a transformative era in collegiate athletics.
Deputy Athletics Director, Chief Operating Officer and Senior Woman Administrator Marcy Girton will retire in mid-August after more than three years of service to Mizzou Athletics and a highly successful career spanning more than four decades in college athletics. Girton joined Mizzou in 2023 and has played a pivotal role in leading the department through significant change. She oversaw the department’s NIL and revenue-sharing initiatives, served as sport administrator for the football and softball programs and guided the department as interim athletics director during Missouri’s leadership transition in 2024.
“Marcy has been an invaluable member of our leadership team during one of the most transformational periods in college athletics,” Veatch said. “Her steady leadership, thoughtful guidance and commitment to our student-athletes and staff have elevated our department in countless ways. She has helped position Mizzou Athletics for long-term success while serving with integrity and professionalism. We are deeply grateful for her dedication to Mizzou Athletics and wish her all the best in a well-earned retirement.”
“Marcy dedicated her life to college athletics and the student-athletes she served,” Mizzou football coach Eli Drinkwitz said. “I deeply appreciate her hard work, attention to detail and willingness to help us build the Mizzou football program. Marcy has been an integral part of our success, and we wish her the best in retirement.”
“I am so appreciative of the incredible opportunity to have spent 43 years in collegiate athletics,” Girton said. “The greatest joy of this journey has been the privilege of working alongside outstanding student-athletes, coaches and staff who continually strive for excellence and make a meaningful impact on those around them. I am especially thankful to conclude my career as a Missouri Tiger. The people here have welcomed me with extraordinary kindness, support, and friendship, making these final years truly special. Thank you to everyone who has been part of my journey. I will always cherish the relationships, memories, and experiences that have shaped my career and enriched my life.”
Mizzou will launch a national search for a newly created third Deputy AD position – the Deputy Athletics Director/Chief of Olympic Sport Leadership will provide leadership at the highest level of the department and across Mizzou’s Olympic Sports programs by partnering closely with head coaches to develop championship strategies in key areas such as recruiting, scheduling, budgeting and student-athlete success, while also replacing Girton as the department’s Senior Woman Administrator.
The department also has hired University of Louisiana Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Bryan Maggard as Deputy Athletics Director/Chief Operating Officer. Maggard will provide leadership for the internal administrative operations of the department and serve as Men’s Basketball sport administrator.
Maggard returns to Columbia after serving as Louisiana’s athletics director since 2017, adding the title of Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics in 2021. In Lafayette, he led one of the nation’s most successful Group of Five athletics departments, overseeing a department that won 20 Sun Belt Conference championships and made 23 NCAA postseason appearances in nine years. During his tenure, Louisiana captured Sun Belt championships in football, baseball and softball while becoming the only program in the country to win conference titles in all three sports and a football bowl game during the 2021-22 athletics year. Under Maggard’s leadership, the department generated a record-breaking $30 million in fundraising, secured the largest gift in department history ($15 million), launched the “Let’s Geaux!” strategic plan and negotiated Louisiana Athletics’ landmark 10-year multimedia rights partnership with Learfield.
Maggard, who was appointed to the College Football Playoff Selection Committee in March, also served as chair of the Sun Belt Conference Athletics Directors and co-chaired the Sun Belt expansion committee while also serving on the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision Oversight Committee. Prior to Louisiana, Maggard spent 22 years at Mizzou, where he most recently served as Executive Associate Athletics Director. During his tenure, he provided executive leadership across numerous operational areas and played a key role in Mizzou’s transition into the Southeastern Conference.
“Bryan’s extensive leadership experience, proven record of building championship-caliber athletics departments and deep understanding of Mizzou make him an outstanding addition to our Senior Leadership Team,” Veatch said. “Bryan embraces our vision and knows what it takes to compete for championships. We’re incredibly excited to welcome Bryan, his wife Kerry and their family back to Columbia.”
“I’m incredibly honored and humbled to return to the University of Missouri,” Maggard said. “Mizzou has always held a special place in my heart, and I’m grateful to Laird Veatch for the opportunity to come home and help lead this department into its next chapter. The momentum surrounding Mizzou Athletics is undeniable, and I look forward to working alongside our coaches, staff and student-athletes as we continue pursuing championships that make our university and state proud.”
As part of the department’s organizational transitions, several members of the administration have been promoted to reflect expanded leadership responsibilities.
Nick Grunenwald has been elevated to Executive Athletics Director/Senior Counsel for Athletics. Grunenwald will report directly to University General Counsel Mark Menghini while serving as Mizzou Athletics’ internal legal counsel.
Katie Martinez will assume a new role as Associate Athletics Director/Olympic Sport Leadership, where she will report to the new Deputy Athletics Director/Chief of Olympic Sport Leadership and provide direct oversight for Olympic sport programs.
The following members of the administration have been elevated to new titles and roles as well:
- Michael Schroeder – Executive Athletics Director/Chief Brand Officer
- Dave Matter – Senior Associate Athletics Director/Strategic Communications and Creative Media
- Connor Jordan – Associate Athletics Director/Strategic Revenues
- Josh Moore – Associate Athletics Director/Marketing and Fan Experience
“As college athletics continues to evolve, we’re intentionally strengthening our sport leadership structure to better support our coaches and student-athletes,” Veatch said. “This new deputy athletics director will play a critical role in helping our programs pursue championships by working alongside our coaches on the strategic priorities that drive competitive success. Investing in sport leadership is another important step in building an organizational structure that positions Mizzou Athletics for sustained excellence.”