The University of Washington (UW) is facing a critical time in its athletic program with the recent announcement that Athletic Director Jen Cohen will be stepping down. Her successor will have a difficult job ahead of them as they attempt to fill the shoes of a leader who has been widely praised for her work in the athletic department.
The new Athletic Director will have to build upon the strong foundation that Cohen has left behind. During her tenure, Cohen made a number of changes that have had a positive impact on the UW athletic program. She was instrumental in the hiring of Chris Petersen as football coach, which has led to an increase in success on the field. She also oversaw the construction of the new Husky Stadium, which has been widely praised for its modern amenities and design.
The new Athletic Director will also have to address some of the challenges that Cohen was unable to tackle during her tenure. One of the most pressing issues is the need to increase revenue and attendance at UW sporting events. This is especially true for football, where attendance has been declining in recent years. The new Athletic Director will need to come up with creative ways to attract more fans to Husky Stadium and other UW sporting events.
The new Athletic Director will also need to focus on improving the overall culture of the athletic department. This includes creating an environment that is conducive to success both on and off the field. This means finding ways to ensure that athletes are supported academically and socially, and that coaches are held accountable for their actions.
Finally, the new Athletic Director will need to ensure that the UW athletic program remains competitive in the Pac-12 Conference. This means finding ways to recruit top talent and develop them into successful athletes. It also means finding ways to increase revenue and resources so that the program can remain competitive in the long term.
The challenges ahead for the new Athletic Director at UW are daunting, but they are not insurmountable. With the right leadership and vision, the UW athletic program can continue to thrive under its new leader.
