TCU has named Mike Buddie its ninth athletic director in TCU history. Following a
nationwide search, Buddie joins TCU from the United States Military Academy at West
Point, where he served as director of athletics since 2019. During his tenure, he
led Army’s athletics programs to new heights. Football earned a College Football Playoff
ranking in 2024 as the Black Knights won a program record 12 games, a mark that ties
for the most in a season by any service academy in history.
“TCU is building a world class executive team to take us to our next level of excellence in educating future generations of Horned Frogs. We were looking for an individual who would honor our mission to educate ethical leaders and share our focus on student and community success,” said President Daniel W. Pullin. “Our newly launched LEAD ON: Values in Action strategic plan is designed with athletics as one of our four key pillars. Amongst a cohort of stellar candidates, we found in Mike a leader who is on point with our strategic plan, who exemplifies the values, character and innovative approach that will continue to elevate athletic excellence as a priority."
While at Army, Buddie launched a strategic plan in September 2023 aimed at delivering
a premier cadet-athlete experience to mold them into exceptional leaders and officers
in the U.S. Army. Buddie led unprecedented facilities improvements and innovative
investments in the Black Knights’ programs, highlighted by a $170 million Michie Stadium Preservation Project that is the most ambitious private,
gift-funded construction project in the history of the United States Military Academy. He also secured football-only membership in the American Athletic Conference in 2024
where Army went undefeated to win the league championship in its debut season.
Buddie was instrumental in securing Army West Point’s television contract with CBS
and extended partnerships with Bowl Games and Nike.
“There’s no place like TCU - the perfect mix of excellent academic reputation, unbeatable campus experience and sports that pack a punch, said Buddie. “I’m honored to join an organization that is committed to its mission and values but doesn’t shy away from prioritizing winning. In my 20-year career at Division I universities, I've had a leading role in taking athletics programs to next-level performance. The intercollegiate landscape is transforming quickly, and TCU’s brand is leaning into athletics as a distinctive element of its culture. I believe in the vision and am ready to step in and work with TCU’s student-athletes, coaches and leaders to create real opportunities and momentum. My wife Traci and I are grateful to Army and all of our friends and colleagues in the industry who have supported us. We are thrilled to be joining the Horned Frog community. Go Frogs!"
Chancellor Victor J. Boschini, Jr., said, “For two decades now, I've witnessed the power of our athletics programs help TCU to grow and thrive. We view athletics as an important part of TCU’s overall success, and we have the highest standards for leaders with character and grit. Mike Buddie shares our vision for mission-related excellence and for TCU’s unlimited potential as an athletics powerhouse.”
TCU’s Board of Trustees has been instrumental in the selection of key executive hires for the university, including the recent naming of Floyd Wormley as provost and now Mike Buddie as athletic director.
On behalf of the Trustees, Chair Kit Moncrief added her enthusiasm.
“Mike has the energy and experience to keep TCU on its incredible path forward. College athletics is a brave new world, and we need leaders who can support students as athletes and entrepreneurs as well as develop pathways for TCU to reach new audiences," Moncrief said.
Buddie is prominent on the national level as a member of the Division I Baseball Committee. He was able to retain successful head coaches throughout his time at West Point, providing contract extensions to head football coach Jeff Monken as well as coaches in four other sports who were named Patriot League Coach of the Year.
Buddie began his collegiate athletics career as a Division I student-athlete pitcher for the Wake Forest University Demon Deacons baseball team. He graduated from Wake Forest in 1993. He went on to play Major League Baseball, pitching for the New York Yankees and the Milwaukee Brewers, and was a member of the Yankees 1998 World Series championship team. After his years in MLB, he returned to Wake Forest as a member of the athletics staff for a decade, then lead Furman University athletics in South Carolina before his years at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
Buddie and his wife Traci have two children, Zachary and Zoe.