FORT MYERS, Fla. – Florida Gulf Coast University President Dr. Aysegul Timur has announced the hiring of Brian Barrio as the Eagles' Director of Athletics.  

Barrio brings more than five years of experience as an NCAA Division I Director of Athletics to his new role at FGCU, along with a career spanning more than two decades in intercollegiate athletics.  

"FGCU Athletics has built tremendous momentum in recent years, and I am excited to continue that trajectory with Brian Barrio as our new Director of Intercollegiate Athletics," said FGCU President Aysegul Timur. "Brian brings a well-rounded background, outstanding leadership experience, and tremendous enthusiasm for the future of the ever-evolving landscape of collegiate athletics. His vision for collaborative leadership, strategic partnerships, community engagement, student-athlete success, and fostering a winning culture makes him the right person to lead our athletics program into its next chapter." 

"I am truly honored and excited to join Florida Gulf Coast University as its next Director of Athletics," Barrio said. "I am deeply grateful to President Timur and the search committee for their trust and confidence and their belief in my vision for FGCU Athletics. I look forward to working alongside a group of talented student-athletes, exceptional head coaches and dedicated staff as we compete for championships and strive to lift FGCU Athletics to new heights."  

Barrio served as Director of Athletics at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County for more than four years (2020-2024). During his time with the Retrievers, the department set fundraising records in back-to-back years (2022, 2023) and produced the highest total corporate sponsorship revenue year in UMBC history. He and his team secured the largest individual gifts in program history for both the Retrievers men's basketball and baseball teams, as well as completing a $5 million naming rights agreement for Chesapeake Employers' Insurance Arena. 

During his time at UMBC, Barrio led a department that achieved record-setting academic outcomes, including a school-record department-wide grade-point average and 10 perfect NCAA Academic Progress Rate scores. In competition, the Retrievers won 11 America East Conference championships, and three head coaches hired by Barrio earned America East Coach of the Year honors. 

Barrio came to UMBC from Central Connecticut State University, where he led a 16-sport NCAA Division I athletics department from 2018 through 2020. During his tenure, the Blue Devils won seven Northeast Conference titles. In his first year at Central Connecticut State, departmental fundraising saw a 40 percent increase.  

He holds a juris doctorate from the University of California-Hastings College of the Law. He earned his undergraduate degree at Boston College. 

Barrio will begin his duties at FGCU on July 20. 
 

What They Are Saying

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"I had the pleasure of working with Brian during my time at the University of Nevada. Brian is incredibly organized and is a great forward thinker. He is one of the hardest-working people I have been around in college athletics, and he is extremely loyal. Brian is going to do an unbelievable job leading the Florida Gulf Coast athletic department! The Eagles made a home run hire in Brian Barrio!"
Eric Musselman
Head Men's Basketball Coach, University of Southern California 
Former Head Men's Basketball Coach, University of Nevada

"I am truly happy for Brian and his family. Brian will fit in great with FGCU and the community. His coaches and athletes will truly blossom under his leadership. He is a tremendous leader and a great person who has had tremendous success everywhere he has been. 
FGCU made a great hire."
Jim Ferry
Head Men's Basketball Coach, UMBC


"The world of college athletics needs a leader like Brian Barrio. He has the wisdom and vision to lead FGCU Athletics and will put the development of student-athletes first and foremost in that vision to pursue championships. Brian's integrity will serve as a moral compass for his student-centered culture of championship excellence. He lifts up the people around him and leads his department to believe in what's possible." 
Ed McLaughlin
VP and Director of Athletics, VCU


"I've been fortunate to call Brian Barrio both a colleague and a friend. He leads with humility, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to the people around him. I believe the coaches and student-athletes at FGCU will be exceptionally well supported under his leadership. Congratulations, Brian, on this exciting opportunity."
Twila Kilgore
Technical Director, Houston Dash (NWSL)
Former Assistant and Interim Head Coach, United States Soccer Women's National Team


"FGCU has made a great hire in Brian Barrio. He brings strong campus leadership skills and a proven commitment to delivering an impactful student-athlete experience. In addition, Brian's ability to think strategically and innovatively will help position FGCU for success during these challenging times in Division I college athletics."
Noreen Morris
Commissioner, Northeast Conference


"Brian is one of the most impressive professionals with whom I've worked over the past fifty years. He is an outstanding athletic director, a dedicated educator, and a fine human being. He always puts the well-being of students first."
Dr. Freeman Hrabowski
Former President, UMBC (1992-2022)


"FGCU hit a home run in hiring Brian Barrio. I couldn't be more excited for Brian and his family starting this new chapter down in Ft. Myers. Not only is he one of the best ADs in the country, but he's also a genuine person who cares deeply for the people around him. My time working with him at UMBC were some of the best years I have had as a coach. FGCU is going to go to another level under his leadership!"
Chris Kuhlmeyer
Head Softball Coach, Mercer University
Former Head Softball Coach, UMBC


"Brian is a visionary leader who meets challenges with enthusiasm and creativity. He can get a department to skate to where the puck is going, not where it has been. In the ever-changing world of D1 athletics, FGCU could not have made a better hire."
Liam Bowen
Head Baseball Coach, Towson University
Former Head Baseball Coach, UMBC 


"As college athletics is changing quickly, one thing isn't: it's about people, first and foremost. There is no better person I know who takes care of their people like Brian. From athletes to coaches and administrators, our experience and well-being were always priority number one. The FGCU community is in for a genuinely transformative surprise with Brian at the helm."
Kasey Crider
Head Volleyball Coach, UMBC


"Brian is one of the best leaders I have worked with. He is innovative, bold and compassionate. FGCU got a great one."
Pete Rossamondo
Head Football Coach, Lamar University
Former Head Football Coach, Central Connecticut State University 
 

The Barrio File 

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Years	Organization	Title
2026 - pres.	Florida Gulf Coast University	Director of Athletics
2024-26	Advantage Intercollegiate Athletics, LLC	Founder/Managing Director
2020-24	University of Maryland-Baltimore County	Director of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation
2018-20	Central Connecticut State University	Director of Athletics
2015-18	University of Nevada, Reno	Sr. Associate Director of Athletics for Intercollegiate Services
2015	Pepperdine University	Associate Director of Athletics for Administration
2011-15	Pepperdine University	Associate Director of Athletics for Student Services/Compliance
2010-11	America East Conference	Associate Commissioner/Chief of Staff
2008-10	America East Conference	Associate Commissioner for Compliance
2006-08	Director of Complianc	University of Southern California
2005-06	The Ivy League	Compliance Coordinator
2004	Ohio State University	Athletics Intern
2003	Central Connecticut State University	Athletics Intern
Year(s)	Organization	Title