Skip to content

Iowa AD Barta to retire effective Aug. 1

Icon Sportswire / Getty

Iowa athletic director Gary Barta announced his retirement Friday.

Barta, who's also served on the College Football Playoff selection committee since 2019, will officially retire Aug. 1.

"It has been an absolute privilege and honor to serve in this role the past 17 years," Barta said in a statement. "I'm humbled to have worked beside, and on behalf of, so many student-athletes, coaches, staff, donors, fans, and community leaders over the past two decades."

The 59-year-old has been the head of Iowa's athletic department for 17 years since taking over the role in 2006. He's the second-longest-tenured athletic director behind Ohio State's Gene Smith.

The Hawkeyes have claimed 11 Big Ten titles since the fall of 2020. Additionally, during the 2011-12 season, the school saw its football, men's basketball, and women's basketball teams play in the Big Ten Championship Game for just the second time in its history since the inception of the championship football contest.

Iowa has also won four national championships in wrestling and earned 27 team titles under Barta, according to The Athletic's Scott Dochterman.

However, Iowa athletics have come under scrutiny during Barta's tenure. Several former football players and staff members made allegations of racism in June 2020 against head coach Kirk Ferentz and his staff. During that same time, strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle signed a separation agreement shortly after several players said he fostered a hostile environment for Black players.

Overall, Barta's athletics department has paid out more than $10 million since 2017 due to settled lawsuits related to gender discrimination, racial discrimination, and Title IX.

The school is also cooperating in an investigation related to sports wagering in Iowa and Iowa State that includes 111 individuals and 26 current athletes.

Barta's successor could be within Iowa's campus. Deputy athletic director/chief operating officer Beth Goetz is considered to be a strong candidate for the position, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel. She previously served as the AD at Ball State and was a finalist for the same role at Wisconsin.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox