(Ames, IA) — Iowa State University has named its new athletic director. President David Cook selected Jared Benko, who has more than 20 years of college athletics experience and most recently served as executive deputy athletic director at Auburn University.
According to Cyclones.com Benko also served as athletic director at Georgia Southern University and deputy director of athletics and chief financial officer at Mississippi State University. At Auburn, he led day-to-day operations for an athletics department with a $228 million budget.
At Georgia Southern from 2020 to 2024, Benko set four consecutive fundraising records and secured the three largest gifts in the athletic foundation’s history. At Auburn, he negotiated a 10-year multimedia rights agreement with Playfly projected to exceed $230 million.
Benko will oversee Iowa State’s 18-sport intercollegiate athletics program, providing executive leadership and operational oversight. His responsibilities will include financial strategy, revenue generation, capital projects, name, image, and likeness initiatives, and revenue sharing.
The Georgia native earned a bachelor’s degree in sports studies in 2005 and a master’s degree in public administration in 2007 from the University of Georgia.
Benko succeeds Jamie Pollard, who announced his retirement in July after 22 years leading Iowa State athletics. Pollard was the longest-serving athletic director in school history. During his tenure, Iowa State teams won 24 Big 12 team championships across eight sports, and the university’s student-athletes achieved sustained academic success.
Benko is scheduled to begin his new position October 30, pending approval by the Iowa Board of Regents. He is expected to meet with reporters October 19, with a livestream available through the Iowa State athletics website.
President Cook said Benko brings leadership experience and strategic vision to build on the university’s athletic success and support student-athletes academically and athletically. Benko said he is excited to build on Iowa State’s foundation, citing its competitive momentum, fan support and facilities.
