Monday morning, Pete Thamel of ESPN broke the news that Arizona hired Desiree Reed-Francois, Missouri’s director of athletics, to take over the same position for the Wildcats. 

“My heart is filled with gratitude and nostalgia, reflecting on the incredible journey we’ve shared together at Missouri,” Reed-Francois said in a statement. “Leaving behind such an amazing fanbase is not easy.”

Reed-Francois has been with Missouri since August of 2021. She was responsible for hiring six new head coaches during her tenure, including men’s basketball head coach Dennis Gates and volleyball head coach Dawn Sullivan. Both coaches won 2023 SEC Coach of the Year for their respective sports. 

To go along with successful head coaching hires, multiple Missouri teams saw success amidst Reed-Francois’ tenure. 

Gates and Sullivan’s programs both earned NCAA Tournament victories. Eli Drinkwitz’s football program won 11 games in 2023, their highest total since 2014. The wrestling team won back-to-back conference championships, and they are currently ranked No. 7 nationally. 

Reed-Francois also helped turn Missouri around financially, as the university reported its first budget surplus in six years in 2023. 

In 2023, her work was rewarded with a contract extension through June 30, 2028. Any potential buyout fees from the extension will be paid to Missouri by Arizona donor funds. 

Reed-Francois has ties to Arizona, as she graduated from their law school in 1997. Her new deal is a five-year contract, and she will make $1 million a year before elevating to $1.2 million in year five. 

She will be taking over Arizona athletics in a tumultuous time. The university is currently operating in a $177 million budget deficit with cuts and layoffs ahead. Arizona is also moving to the Big 12 Conference for the 2024-25 school year, and lost football head coach Jedd Fisch to Washington. 

Reed-Francois is expected to move to her new position on March 3. 

Edited by Grace Ainger | gainger@themaneater.com

Copy Edited by Briana Iordan | biordan@themaneater.com

Edited by Scout Hudson | shudson@themaneater.com