Overview
- Multiple outlets, citing an ESPN report, say Mississippi State deputy athletic director Josh McCowan has been named FAU’s vice president and director of athletics, though early local coverage contained an internal name inconsistency.
- One report says FAU will formally introduce McCowan at a press conference on August 7, while another article noted FAU had not yet issued an official announcement when it published.
- McCowan, described in the coverage as a mid-30s fundraiser, joined Mississippi State in 2023 after leading major development work at Kansas State and is credited with large year-over-year increases in fundraising and ticket revenue.
- The hire follows Brian White’s departure to Virginia Tech and his five-year contract extension announced in September 2024, placing immediate pressure on FAU to maintain continuity as it competes in the American Athletic Conference.
- If confirmed, the move could shift FAU’s priorities toward revenue generation, donor cultivation, NIL strategy and ticketing operations, and observers should watch early fundraising targets, staffing decisions, and public confirmation from FAU.