The search has begun for a new person in charge of SMU’s athletic department. After over a decade as the Mustangs' athletic director, Rick Hart announced Friday that he would be leaving his role at the end of the school year to make way for new president Jay Hartzell to carry out his vision for SMU athletics.

Rick Hart is stepping down after 13 years as athletic director at SMU, which in the past year completed its long-desired move into a power conference by becoming a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

DALLAS ( SMU) – Today, SMU President R. Gerald Turner announced the creation of a Search Committee for a new Director of Athletics as well as the retention of a nationally recognized search firm to assist in the process.

Hart has served in the role since 2012 and led the Mustangs in their transition to a power conference. His announcement comes shortly after President

Hart leaves what's expected to be a highly sought-after job following SMU's conference switch and CFP appearance.

SMU athletic director Rick Hart will step down from his position near the end of the current academic year, the university announced Friday. He will continue to serve as athletic director until SMU can identify a replacement.

SMU athletics director Rick Hart is set to retire at the end of the year, could Texas AD Chris Del Conte follow President Jay Hartzell to SMU?

SMU athletics director Rick Hart announced Friday he will step down at the conclusion of the 2024-25 academic year. A third-generation athletics administrator, Hart has been SMU's athletics director since 2012. From a football perspective, the Hart era has been a successful one on the Hilltop: