Iowa AD Barta Steps Down: Who Will Replace Him?

Iowa is looking for a new athletics director. I texted Parker and Kyle from the BetUS College Football show this morning and said “What happened to make Kirk Ferentz fire Barta this morning?”

Obviously, that was in jest, as Barta was the boss, and Ferentz is just the football coach, but that’s what it has felt like over the past few years watching that athletic department.

Barta is only 59 years old, which feels a bit early to be retiring, but he’s been the AD at Iowa for 17 years, making him the second-longest tenured AD in the Big Ten behind Ohio State's Gene Smith. He will officially step down on August 1st.

If you look at what Iowa has done in football and mens & womens basketball, this is one of the most successful athletic departments, not only in the Big Ten, but in the country, so somebody is walking into what is perceived as a pretty well oiled machine.

Barta said “"This decision didn't come suddenly, nor did it come without significant thought, discussion, and prayer. As I've reflected, I came to the conclusion there's never a good time to step away...because there's always more to be done. That said, I'm confident this is the right time for me and for my family.”

The jist that I’m getting from reading everything is that this has been the plan for quite some time. Pete Thamel’s article at ESPN included this “In September 2022, the school hired Beth Goetz, who was the sitting athletic director at Ball State, to become the deputy athletic director and chief operating officer.”

Beth was a strong contender for the Wisconsin AD job before it went to Chris McIntosh back in 2021, and she’s been talked about highly in Big Ten circles for quite some time.

Unlike the Mike Bohn situation at USC - which we’ll hit on in a bit - this one feels like it’s pretty seamless and without a lot of drama behind the scenes. Iowa said an interim will be announced next week.

From the Friday 5/26/23 full show: https://youtube.com/live/hI75KVbtNds

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