Mizzou Athletics rolled out a major leadership shakeup Tuesday, announcing that longtime deputy athletics director, chief operating officer and senior woman administrator Marcy Girton will retire in mid-August while former Louisiana athletic director Dr. Bryan Maggard heads back to Columbia as the department's new deputy AD and chief operating officer. The department also elevated several current staffers and is launching a national search for a new deputy role focused on Olympic sports.
Marcy Girton To Retire After 43 Years
Girton, who currently serves as deputy athletics director, chief operating officer and senior woman administrator, will step away in mid-August after a 43-year run in college athletics, the university said. “I am so appreciative of the incredible opportunity to have spent 43 years in collegiate athletics,” Girton wrote in a release from Mizzou Athletics.
Former Tiger Returns To Campus
Dr. Bryan Maggard, who has led the University of Louisiana at Lafayette's athletics program since 2017, is returning to Missouri to oversee Mizzou's internal operations and serve as men's basketball administrator, according to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Maggard said family ties and what he called “a tremendous opportunity” helped drive his decision to come back to Columbia.
Competitive Success And National Roles
Statements from both schools credit Maggard with a period of competitive and financial success in Lafayette, including roughly 20 Sun Belt Conference titles and more than 20 NCAA postseason appearances. They also note he helped generate about $30 million in fundraising while securing a $15 million gift. On the national stage, he was named to the College Football Playoff selection committee in March, and the College Football Playoff lists him on its 2026 selection committee roster.
Several Internal Promotions
Mizzou used the transition to shuffle and promote its internal leadership ranks. The department elevated:
- Nick Grunenwald to Executive Athletics Director/Senior Counsel for Athletics
- Katie Martinez to Associate Athletics Director/Olympic Sport Leadership
- Michael Schroeder to Executive Athletics Director/Chief Brand Officer
- Dave Matter to Senior Associate Athletics Director/Strategic Communications and Creative Media
- Connor Jordan to Associate Athletics Director/Strategic Revenues
- Josh Moore to Associate Athletics Director/Marketing and Fan Experience
The department also said it will conduct a national search to fill a newly created Deputy Athletics Director/Chief of Olympic Sport Leadership role, according to Mizzou Athletics.
Background At Louisiana
Maggard's exit from Louisiana comes as his former department in Lafayette has been the subject of a state audit that found misrepresented purchasing-card expenses and flagged delays in notifying authorities. The Louisiana Legislative Auditor's management letter says the matter was referred for further investigation, according to the Louisiana Legislative Auditor. Local reporting by KPLC has since noted that the 15th Judicial District Attorney's office is handling the probe.
What’s Next In Columbia
Girton's retirement becomes official in mid-August, and Mizzou framed the broader set of moves as an effort to bolster coaching support and student-athlete resources heading into the next season. Local coverage of the leadership shakeup is available at ABC17NEWS, and the department encouraged fans to keep an eye on MUTigers.com and its official social channels for further updates. According to City of Columbia Missouri (.gov), Columbia's hotel market had annual occupancy rates of around 59 percent in 2022 and 2023, which provides context for the local economic impact of major Mizzou events. City of Columbia Missouri (.gov) budget documents list a line item 'Football Shuttle $7,470' in the FY-2017 adopted budget, indicating past municipal expenditures tied to game-day operations.
