First name emerges in Maryland's search for new athletic director

Ahmed Ghafir
Mar 25
2 min read

Northern Illinois AD Sean Frazier Is expected to be a candidate in Maryland's athletic director search (Credit: Getty Images)

The news of Damon Evans to SMU as athletic director is only days old, but the first name in Maryland’s search for a permanent athletic director has emerged after circling back to College Park.

“Northern Illinois AD Sean Frazier is a prominent name expected to be in mix for Maryland AD position, sources said. Frazier was a finalist for Terps’ job when Damon Evans was hired in 2018. Frazier, who directed NIU’s football only move to Mountain West, has ties to Big Ten, previously as deputy AD at Wisconsin,” Brett McMurphy wrote on X.

Frazier enters year 12 at Northern Illinois where his current contract runs through the end of June 2027 after agreeing to another extension last August, making just above $350,000. Frazier also spent six years at Wisconsin where he oversaw fundraising and advancements for the Badgers during their three Rose Bowl appearances, raising $123 million for several upgraded facilities.

Since being a finalist for the Terps’ last athletic director search, Frazier was named Athletic Director of the Year by the Sports Business Journal back in 2021 after four different NIU teams won conference titles, bringing the total number under his leadership to 13. Frazier also oversaw NIU's transition into the Mountain West, beginning in 2026, while he materialized into a target in Penn State's athletic director search back in 2022.

The football program has also won three MAC titles during his tenure though Frazier, a former Alabama wide receiver turned assistant coach, has watched the football program fail to win double digit games in ten years. Meanwhile, the basketball program has not finished above .500 since the COVID season and has posted a winning overall record in just three seasons during his tenure, providing a potential question mark as to how Frazier would be able to deliver on the added resources and support that head coach Kevin Willard made clear ahead of the opening weekend of the NCAA Tournament.

Meanwhile, Evans announced Colleen Sorem as interim athletic director by president Darryll Pines in his farewell address.

“I could not be more proud that President Pines has named Colleen Sorem as the interim athletic director,” Evans wrote. “For years, she has been my trusted deputy, and a close friend. Simply put, she is one of the most skilled athletic administrators in the nation. Maryland is fortunate to have such a tremendous individual to continue our great work. Our department is in great hands.”

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