Rutgers has named former LSU executive Keli Zinn as its new athletic director.
Zinn had been the deputy athletic director and chief operating officer at LSU since 2022. Before that, she worked in the athletic departments at West Virginia and Maryland and for the Big East Conference.
“Keli Zinn brings the strategic drive, operational excellence, and championship pedigree we need right now for Rutgers Athletics,” said William F. Tate IV, the new Rutgers president who also came over from LSU, in a statement issued Wednesday. “Her leadership style resonates deeply with Rutgers’ mission — competitiveness on the field, integrity in our practices, and excellence in the student athlete experience. She will guide Rutgers into a new era, with forward-looking leadership, tapping into the Rutgers Edge.”
Zinn officially begins her tenure in Piscataway, N.J., on Aug. 6. Her five-year deal makes her the highest-paid AD in school history, with a base salary starting at $1.35 million and rising to $1.55 million. Bonuses are available based on the performance of the football and men’s and women’s basketball teams.
“I am honored to join Rutgers at this exciting juncture, and I want to thank President Tate and the Board of Governors for this incredible opportunity,” Zinn said. “Where there are challenges, there are also opportunities, and I look forward to working with our campus leaders, student-athletes, coaches, staff, donors, and fans to build on Rutgers’ strong tradition, amplify opportunities to support our athletic programs, maintain top tier compliance, and pursue excellence both on and off the field. We will compete with the nation’s best and we will represent the university with integrity and pride in all we do.”
Zinn will oversee 24 varsity sports programs with more than 730 student-athletes competing in the Big Ten.
Among her first priorities will be expanding Rutgers’ name, image and likeness program, as she did at LSU.
The AD position had been vacant since Pat Hobbs resigned under a cloud last August. He cited health reasons for his departure but a later investigation revealed an improper relationship with a gymnastics coach.
Ryan Pisarri served as the Scarlet Knights’ interim AD before taking the same position at Tufts earlier this month.
