Cal names Knowlton its new athletic director

Cal names Knowlton its new athletic director


Cal announced Monday that it has hired Air Force athletic director Jim Knowlton as the Bears' new athletic director.

Knowlton has been Air Force's athletic director since 2015 and was the athletic director at Division III Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute from 2008-15.

"By virtue of his experience, values and personal attributes, Jim stood out in what was a large and deeply talented pool of applicants," Cal chancellor Carol Christ said in a statement. "He is an excellent communicator who thrives on challenges, and shares my commitment to excellence, integrity and diversity. I am certain he will be the thought partner I sought, and the leader our campus needs at this pivotal time so that we can, together, usher in a new era of excellence for Cal Athletics."

Knowlton had 26 years of service in the U.S. Army before turning to athletics administration. He left the Army as a colonel. He taught in the civil and mechanical engineering department at West Point and led a battalion in Iraq.

"I am thrilled to join the University of California, Berkeley family!" Knowlton said in a statement. "I am thankful for the trust and confidence of Chancellor Christ, and am extremely impressed with her vision along with the passion, commitment and dedication of the entire search committee. I look forward to connecting with our exceptional student-athletes, faculty, coaches and staff on campus, along with our alumni, supporters and the Berkeley community.

"Cal has all the ingredients to be incredible on and off the field and I'm excited for the challenge to have our athletic teams and student-athletes win the right way at the highest levels. We will excel in the classroom, on our campus and in our community, and incorporate dignity and respect in all we do."

Knowlton will officially take over on May 21. He will replace Mike Williams, who announced that he will retire in June.

Knowlton will oversee a Cal football program that went 5-7 overall, including 2-7 in the Pac-12, in head coach Justin Wilcox's first season.

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