Gerald Harrison has been approved to serve as the 23rd Director of Athletics at Marshall.
Approval came Monday from MU’s Board of Governors, and Harrison will be introduced to his new position at a press conference 11 a.m. Wednesday at Encova Auditorium inside the Brad D. Smith Center for Business and Innovation.
“Gerald Harrison embodies the values and vision we hold dear at Marshall University,” said Marshall President Brad Smith. “His track record of championship performance, strategic innovation, and people-first leadership stood out at every step of our national search. What impressed me most was Gerald’s unwavering belief that athletics is not just about wins and losses; it’s about building a culture of excellence, elevating student-athletes and uniting a community.
“He understands the power of higher education to transform lives and sees athletics as a platform for opportunity, inspiration, and impact. As we continue advancing our Marshall For All, Marshall Forever strategy, Gerald’s approach to leading with integrity, heart and bold vision will take our program and our people even further.”
Harrison has served as Vice President and Director of Athletics at Austin Peay since July 18. Over those seven years, Governors’ sports programs won 13 conference championships, including three in football — while posting 16 consecutive semesters with a 3.0 GPA or better.
Harrison also helped Austin Peay establish record revenue through Corporate Sponsorships and the school’s largest-ever financial gift — a $15 million pledge in 2022.
Harrison entered Austin Peay into a groundbreaking partnership with the NHL’s Nashville Predators to produce Sabertooth Sports & Entertainment to help bring about F&M Bank Arena, a new sports and entertainment venue in downtown Clarksville, Tennessee. He also helped produce a 33 percent increase in revenue across the 2022-23 sports year.
Harrison was responsible for the hiring of 16 coaches at Austin Peay, six of which won Coach of the Year honors over his tenure.
He navigated Austin Peay through a pair of conference transitions, including a move from the Ohio Valley to the Atlantic Sun in 2022, and more recently, an announcement that the Governors are joining the newly-formed United Athletic Conference — which provides partnership between football-playing members of the ASUN and Western Athletic Conference — for all sports in 2026.
Next he will embark on challenges at Marshall, which transitioned from Conference USA to the Sun Belt in July 2022.
“I could not be more excited to be a member of The Herd and the Huntington community,” Harrison said. “Thank you to President Brad D. Smith, the Board of Governors, and the selection committee for entrusting me with this incredible opportunity. I’m honored to stand on the shoulders of so many great leaders and work together to use our rich tradition and history to build a bright future – not just for Marshall Athletics, but for the entire university and our community.
“From day one, we will begin our relentless pursuit of excellence in intercollegiate athletics. However, this pursuit cannot be done alone. I look forward to collaborating with campus leadership, our students, and community partners to ensure Marshall leads the way in competition, student-athlete success, development, well-being and community engagement.
“During our visit to Huntington, my wife Lisa and I were in awe of the sea of Kelly green, the kind words and the welcoming smiles that made it clear – this place is special! It is that deep-rooted passion – paired with innovation and hard work – that will make us one of the most complete athletics departments in the nation. Lisa, our daughters Torri and Lorri, and I can’t wait to get started and proudly shout those words … Go Herd!!”
A native of Florence, South Carolina, Harrison served in numerous capacities at Duke prior to his time at Austin Peay. He was a Senior Associate Director of Athletics for Internal Affairs and helped secure necessary funding for a $100 million renovation to Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium.
Harrison originally started at Duke in 2008 as Assistant Director of Athletics for Football Development, coinciding with the start of former head coach David Cutcliffe’s tenure.
Harrison advanced to the role of Associate Director of Athletics for Human Resources and earned Duke’s Diversion Equity and Inclusion Award in 2012.
“Gerald Harrison is simply a brilliant hire at Marshall,” said former Duke Athletic Director Kevin White. “He clearly represents the combination of contemporary and new age leadership with traditionally-based vision, values and integrity, which is steeped in providing a robust educational experience for all student-athletes, notwithstanding a very special alignment relative to each and every coveted constituency group closely associated with Marshall University.”
Before his time at Duke, Harrison was part of Phillip Fulmer’s football staff at Tennessee and served as Director of Community Relations. He later advanced to Director of High School Relations for the Volunteers.
“I am so proud for Gerald Harrison as he continues to move up professionally and personally,” said Fulmer, a member of the College Football Hall of Fame as a head coach and a former AD at Tennessee. “Gerald is an exceptional administrator, fundraiser, and manager of people and processes. He is also a wonderful people-person and an advocate for coaches and student-athletes. He will be fantastic for Marshall University.”
Harrison and his wife, Lisa, have two daughters, Torri and Lorri. His wife, formerly Lisa Addison, is a former Austin Peay track standout, while Torri is presently a women’s basketball player at Western Kentucky.
Harrison is a member of the NCAA Division I Council and the NCAA Football Oversight Committee and has previously served on the Football Championship Committee and NCAA Competition Oversight Committee.
CarrSports Consulting assisted Marshall in its national search that wound up hiring Harrison, who will replace Christian Spears.
MU announced in April what it termed a mutual agreement with Spears that his contract would not be renewed when it expires in March 2026.
— Christian Spears (@TheHerdAD) July 28, 2025
Spears has served as Marshall’s Director of Athletics since March 2022.