Jared Benko named Iowa State University Director of Athletics

Iowa State University President David Cook has selected Jared Benko as the next director of athletics. Benko is scheduled to begin his role on October 30, pending approval from the Iowa Board of Regents.

Benko joins Iowa State from Auburn University, where he served as the executive deputy athletic director. He brings over 20 years of leadership experience to the position, having previously held roles as athletic director at Georgia Southern and deputy director of athletics and chief financial officer at Mississippi State University.

In his new capacity as the Jamie and Ellen Pollard Endowed Director of Athletics, Benko will oversee the university’s 18-sport intercollegiate athletics program. His responsibilities include providing strategic vision, executive leadership, and operational oversight, while serving as an advisor to the president and an ambassador for Cyclone Athletics within the Big 12 Conference and the national athletics community.