Missouri is set to name Laird Veatch, the current athletic director at Memphis, as their next athletic director. Veatch, who previously worked at Florida and has SEC experience, is expected to sign a five-year contract with the school. During his time at Memphis, Veatch oversaw a successful athletic department, which included a 10-win football season in 2023 and securing a $25 million pledge from FedEx for NIL efforts.
Veatch’s accomplishments also include securing funding for a $220 million renovation of the Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. With his extensive experience in athletics, including a previous role at Missouri, Veatch is well-equipped to handle the challenges that come with leading the Tigers’ athletic program.
He will be replacing Desireé Reed-Francois, who left for Arizona earlier this year. Veatch’s background in football was particularly appealing to Missouri officials, as the Tigers are gearing up for a season with high expectations, including a potential top 10 ranking and standout players like Brady Cook and Luther Burden III.
Veatch’s appointment marks the fourth athletic director at Missouri since 2016, but his experience and success at Memphis make him a promising choice for the role. An official announcement of his hiring is expected in the near future.
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