Florida Atlantic University officially welcomed its new Vice President and Director of Athletics Josh McCowan to Paradise Friday, introducing the veteran college athletics administrator during a press conference at the Schmidt Family Complex that aired live on ESPN+.
McCowan, appointed July 31 as the seventh athletics director in FAU history, arrives in Boca Raton after three years at Mississippi State, most recently serving as deputy athletics director, chief revenue officer, and CEO of The Bulldog Club. His more than 15-year career in college athletics also includes nearly a decade at his alma mater, Kansas State, and a stint at the University of Colorado.
At Mississippi State, McCowan helped lead the department to its three highest fundraising years in school history, with more than $173 million raised during his three-year tenure. He now takes over an FAU Athletics program that has experienced significant growth and national exposure in recent years.
“The outpouring of support since we’ve been here has been phenomenal,” McCowan said following Friday’s press conference. “We could not be more excited.”
His message to the South Florida community was equally clear.
“This place has got an incredible passion and energy to it,” McCowan said. “Now’s the time to jump on board and invest and be a part of what we’re doing and support these student-athletes.”
FAU President Adam Hasner called McCowan “the right guy at the right time,” pointing to his experience, values, vision, and energy as FAU continues its own rise as a university.
That enthusiasm was echoed by several Owls head coaches following the announcement.
“I think we’re on a tremendous rise here right now. We’re in a great spot and I’m looking forward to seeing what Josh can do with it all going forward,” said Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Zach Kittley, who joined the Owls in December 2024.
Men’s Basketball Head Coach John Jakus pointed to McCowan’s fundraising experience as well as his basketball roots. McCowan began his career in college athletics as a student basketball manager at Kansas State and later served as a graduate assistant with the Wildcats’ 2010 Elite Eight team.
“Combine that with his fundraising, I think, for me, it’s a home run,” Jakus said.
“We keep saying the sky’s the limit, and this thing is getting ready to take off,” Clark said. “From the first conversation with Josh, I knew he was a winner. I knew he was somebody that sees the vision and wants to make it better,” added Head Softball Coach Jordan Clark.
“I’m excited because of his background and what he can bring to Boca and Florida Atlantic,” added Head Baseball Coach John McCormack.
McCowan succeeds Brian White, who departed FAU in June after eight years to become director of athletics at Virginia Tech.
For McCowan, Friday was both an introduction and an invitation to the community that now surrounds his new program.
“We’re fired up to be here,” he said. “Go Owls!”
