The University of Miami on Tuesday announced that Vice President and Director of Athletics Dan Radakovich will retire on June 1, closing out a tenure marked by program success across multiple sports and strong academic performance by student-athletes.
Radakovich, one of the most recognized administrators in college athletics, returned to Miami in 2021 — nearly 40 years after beginning his career in the school’s athletics business office, where he also earned his MBA.
During his time leading Miami athletics, the program saw major competitive milestones, including a historic College Football Playoff National Championship Game appearance by the football team.
The men’s basketball program reached its first Final Four in 2023, while women’s basketball made its first Elite Eight run the same year. Six Hurricanes also won NCAA individual national titles under his leadership.
Off the field, Miami student-athletes posted record academic results, including a department-best 3.40 semester GPA and a 94% Graduation Success Rate. All 18 programs finished above a 3.0 GPA for the first time in school history, and the department earned national recognition for community service efforts in 2022 and 2024, according to a press release obtained by Local 10 News on Tuesday.
University of Miami President Joe Echevarria praised Radakovich’s leadership, saying he helped guide the department through a transformative period and calling him a trusted advisor.
Radakovich said his decision comes with confidence in the program’s direction.
“Serving the University of Miami again has been an absolute privilege,” Radakovich said. “This place means everything to me, and I’m proud of what our student-athletes, coaches and staff have accomplished together. The program is in a great place, and it’s the right time for fresh leadership to shape what comes next.”
Radakovich has held several national leadership roles in college athletics, including serving as president of LEAD1 and being named Sports Business Journal Athletic Director of the Year in 2017.
He also served on the inaugural College Football Playoff selection committee and currently sits on an NCAA oversight committee.
The school stated in the news release that a “national search” will be conducted for his successor.
In the interim, school officials said deputy directors Brian Baptiste and Rachelle Paul will serve as co-leaders reporting to the university president.
