The University of Texas has asked the UT Board of Regents to extend athletics director Chris Del Conte's contract, the school announced Friday.
Once approved, Del Conte will be under contract through 2030 with a financial package "up to $19.255 million."
Del Conte left TCU for Texas in December 2017, and since that time has overseen:
-- the hiring of head coach Steve Sarkisian
-- the re-imagining of Texas's pre-game festivities through the creation of Bevo Blvd.
-- a $180 million renovation to the south end zone of Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium
-- the approval of a new practice facility, to break ground in 2024
-- the move from the Big 12 to the SEC
“Chris Del Conte came to the Forty Acres with a vision for elevating Texas Athletics to compete and win both on and off the field and he has consistently delivered.” said Kevin Eltife, chairman of the UT System Board of Regents. “In my opinion, he is the best athletic director in the country. I am excited to see his contract extended to 2030 and look forward to continuing to work with him to make all of Longhorn Nation proud.”
Outside of football, Del Conte hired Chris Beard to coach the men's basketball team, then promoted Rodney Terry to lead the program after Beard was let go mid-season last December. Under Terry, Texas made its first Elite Eight appearance since 2008.
In women's basketball, Del Conte hired Vic Schaefer from Mississippi State; Schaefer led the Longhorns to the Elite Eight in his first two seasons.
In softball, Del Conte hire Mike White led Texas to the Women's College World Series finals in 2022.
Del Conte has also overseen the construction of the $375 million Moody Center, home to UT basketball.
In 2020-21, Texas became the first school other than Stanford to win the NACDA Directors Cup since the Cup's first year in 1993-94. Texas won the Director's Cup again in 2021-22, and finished second in 2022-23.
“Texas Athletics is both the front porch of our University and part of the connective tissue that brings Longhorns together,” said President Jay Hartzell. “Chris Del Conte’s leadership has transformed Texas Athletics in the face of a changing landscape for college sports. His unmatched ideas and ability to execute, his genuine regard for our current and former student-athletes and his ability to identify and attract coaches and coaching staff who are among the best in the country have set us up for many more years of success.”
The Board of Regents will formally approve the extension at its previously scheduled meeting Aug. 23-24.
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