Florida Gulf Coast University President Dr. Aysegul Timur announced the hiring of Brian Barrio as the Eagles' Director of Athletics on July 2, 2026.
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.
The Barrio File
| 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 |
