Who is new Penn State Athletic Director Patrick Kraft? Here’s a look at career highlights
Penn State announced Friday that Boston College athletic director Patrick Kraft will take over for Sandy Barbour as the university’s next AD.
Kraft has racked up a number of accomplishments leading into his hiring at Penn State. He began his athletic career at Indiana University as a walk-on with the football program and earned a scholarship. He later earned three degrees, including his Ph.D. in sports management, and went on to become the assistant athletics director at Indiana from 2009-2011 and went on to serve in the same role at Loyola-Chicago (2011-2013).
Kraft joined Temple’s athletic program as the deputy athletic director from 2013-2015 and was promoted in 2015.
Here’s a look at what has happened so far in Kraft’s career:
July 1, 2015: Kraft becomes the athletic director at Temple. He directed a $59 million budget during his time with the program.
Sept. 5, 2015: Temple football head coach Matt Rhule leads his program to 27-10 victory over his alma mater Penn State, its first win over the Nittany Lions since 1941.
Dec. 22, 2015: The Owls finish 10-3 in the season, following an appearance in the Boca Raton Bowl and the American Athletic Conference title game.
Dec. 27, 2016: The Owls finish with a 10-3 record, the AAC championship and an appearance in the Military Bowl.
March 12, 2017: Temple women’s basketball is selected for the NCAA tournament. The team finished with a 24-8 record and the regular season AAC title.
July 1, 2020: Kraft takes over as the athletic director at Boston College. During his tenure, Boston College athletics secured $15 million in funding from Mikey and Jay Hoag for the Hoag Basketball Pavilion, which is set to become the future basketball practice facility for both men’s and women’s basketball programs.
March 17, 2021: Earl Grant was introduced as Boston College’s 13th head coach in men’s basketball history.
May 30, 2021: Boston College wins its first women’s lacrosse national championship and just the sixth team national championship in school history in a 16-10 victory over Syracuse.
April 29, 2022: Penn State officially approved and announced that Kraft will take on the AD role on July 1, following Barbour’s retirement.
What’s next?
Kraft is set to take over Penn State athletics that has seen multiple head coaching changes leading into his tenure. The university hired head men’s basketball coach Micah Shrewsberry in March 2021 and head women’s volleyball coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley in January.
Football head coach James Franklin inked a 10-year, $75 million extension to stay with the Nittany Lions in November 2021. Head women’s basketball coach Carolyn Kieger received an extension on Friday morning.
