Christian Spears’ run as Director of Athletics at Marshall will conclude after his fourth year with the title.
MU announced Tuesday what it termed a mutual agreement with Spears that his contract will not be renewed when it expires in March 2026. The university will immediately begin a national search for its next Athletic Director. Spears will continue in his role during the transition.
Spears was introduced to his current position in February 2022 and began serving in the role March 14 of that year.
“We are grateful for Christian’s passionate leadership and substantial contributions to Marshall Athletics,” said Brad D. Smith, president of Marshall University. “From championship seasons to key facility upgrades, Christian is leaving the athletic department in a strong position. We wish him continued success in his next venture.”
While Spears oversaw Marshall athletics, the Herd transitioned from Conference USA to the Sun Belt Conference and opened Jack Cook Baseball Field, an on-campus venue in its second season of existence. Marshall also garnered Sun Belt Conference Championships in men’s soccer (2023), football (2024) and women’s basketball (2023-24). The Herd men’s soccer program finished national runner-up in 2024.
Directly before his time at Marshall, Spears was deputy athletic director at Pittsburgh for five years.
Under Spears’ watch, Marshall had several marquee head coaching changes, including Tony Gibson replacing Charles Huff as head coach in the immediate aftermath of the program’s Sun Belt Championship in December. A mass exodus through the transfer portal following Huff’s departure led to the football program backing out of its scheduled matchup against Army in the Independence Bowl.
Additionally, Cornelius Jackson replaced Dan D’Antoni as head men’s basketball coach in March 2024, while the women’s basketball program has gone through a head coaching change each of the last two years, first hiring Kim Caldwell in March 2023, and then Juli Fulks in April 2024 after Caldwell helped lead the program to unprecedented success and accepted the head coaching job at Tennessee.
“It has been my honor to serve this incredible university,” Spears said. “I am proud of the victories we’ve earned, both on the field and in the classroom. My family and I cherish the friendships we have made here and are grateful for having been a part of such a remarkably special place. I continue to support Marshall Athletics and look forward to hearing of its future success.”
Spears’ son, Kai Spears, joined the Marshall men’s basketball program ahead of the most recently completed season after transferring from Alabama.