Veteran sports business leader Kevin Griffin named Oregon State director of intercollegiate athletics

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Kevin Griffin, a sports leader and brand builder with a proven record of revenue generation at The Ohio State University, has been named vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics at Oregon State University.

He officially begins his new position on July 6. Griffin has served as associate vice president, brand engagement, services and partnerships and the associate director of athletics for business strategy at Ohio State, one of the country's largest and most successful athletics programs, since July 2022. His main responsibilities involve working across Ohio State to create, manage and optimize revenue-generating opportunities for the university, its students and student-athletes.

“By appointing a leader with a track record in business strategy, revenue generation and marketing, I am positioning Oregon State Athletics for the future as an innovative national leader, aggressively and proactively adapting to the ever-changing landscape of collegiate athletics,” said Oregon State President Jayathi Murthy. “Kevin Griffin is a changemaker with a clear vision for OSU’s athletics programs. As a former student-athlete himself, he is passionate about ensuring that today’s student-athletes have the resources and support to win at the highest levels of competition. I am thrilled to welcome him to Oregon State University and Beaver Nation.”

An experienced sports professional and leader, Griffin worked previously as senior vice president, marketing and brand strategy for Major League Soccer team D.C. United from 2021 until departing for Ohio State. From 2016 to 2021, he worked at The Adcom Group, a marketing agency in Cleveland, Ohio, as senior vice president for marketing strategy and president of brand and market insights. Griffin also held leadership roles in two NFL franchises, serving as vice president of marketing, media and fan experience for the Cleveland Browns from 2013 to 2016 and the Seattle Seahawks director of fan development and community relations from 2004 to 2013.

Murthy announced Griffin’s appointment Thursday following a national search that began in April after OSU Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Scott Barnes announced his retirement effective Aug. 31, 2026. With Griffin’s appointment and immediate transition, Barnes’ retirement date is now July 5. Barnes has been OSU’s athletic director since February 2017 and, as planned, will continue to serve as a senior advisor for athletics through Aug. 31, 2027.

Griffin’s Oregon State appointment aligns with a new era for Oregon State Athletics as part of the new Pac-12 Conference that officially launches July 1. Coaching changes in two of OSU’s major revenue-generating sports also recently occurred. Oregon State hired new football Head Coach JaMarcus Shephard in November and new men’s basketball Head Coach Justin Joyner in March.

“Joining Oregon State University as vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics is a pinnacle moment for me, and I am profoundly grateful to President Murthy for this opportunity to lead,” Griffin said. “The pride of Beaver Nation is legendary. My immediate priority is to support our student-athletes at the highest level, empower our incredible coaching staff and engage with the passionate fans and partners who fuel our success. Together, we will honor the proud legacy of Oregon State while aggressively charting a bold path forward."

In May, Griffin was named one of the Top 100 Rising Athletic Directors/Future Athletics Directors by Silver Waves Media. The list highlights emerging assistant, associate and deputy athletic directors who are poised to lead top-tier collegiate and professional programs. These professionals are recognized for their vision, innovation, revenue generation and impact on student-athlete success.

As part of his Ohio State responsibilities, Griffin also oversees the university’s trademark and licensing program. In January, Ohio State extended its 15-year partnership with Learfield, a leading college athletics media and technology company. Ohio State Sports Properties stands among the nation’s top organizations in sponsorship revenue with prominent brand partners spanning the country, according to the news release announcing the extension. The partnership also includes a full-service name, image and likeness initiative to support Ohio State student-athletes.

Oregon State Athletics also partners with Learfield for its multimedia rights and sponsorship program. In 2024, Griffin joined the board of Ohio State’s Sports and Society Initiative, which connects sports and society through scholarship, coursework, career preparation and community engagement. The program educates and supports students interested in pursuing professional careers throughout the sports industry. Griffin was honored with the Ohio State Athletics & Business Advancement Innovation Award in 2024. The previous year, his team received the Outstanding Athletics & Business Advancement Department Award.

Griffin, who will be introduced at a news conference Tuesday, was a four-year letter winner for the Ohio State Buckeyes football team as well as the special teams captain his senior year. His daughter, Kennedy Griffin, is an All-American gymnast at the University of Missouri. Griffin is the nephew of Buckeye football legends Archie and Ray Griffin. Archie Griffin is the only two-time Heisman Trophy winner. Griffin graduated from Ohio State with a journalism degree and earned a master’s degree in sports administration from Ohio University.

He will be joined in Corvallis by his wife, Farrah.

Oregon State retained Elevate Talent to support the search.