After a nearly two-month long search, Florida Gulf Coast University has named Brian Barrio as its new athletic director. Barrio replaces Colin Hargis, who left FGCU in May to take a job at N.C. State.
Barrio comes to Fort Myers with more than five years of experience as an NCAA Division I Director of Athletics, along with a career spanning more than two decades in intercollegiate athletics.
“I am truly honored and excited to join Florida Gulf Coast University as its next Director of Athletics,” Barrio said in an FGCU press release. “I am deeply grateful to President Timur and the search committee for their trust and confidence and their belief in my vision for FGCU Athletics. I look forward to working alongside a group of talented student-athletes, exceptional head coaches and dedicated staff as we compete for championships and strive to lift FGCU Athletics to new heights.”
Barrio was the athletic director at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County (UMBC) from 2020-2024. During his time there, the department set fundraising records in back-to-back years (2022, 2023) and produced the highest total corporate sponsorship revenue year in UMBC history.
In competition, the Retrievers won 11 America East Conference championships, and three head coaches hired by Barrio earned America East Coach of the Year honors.
Before UMBC, Barrio worked at Central Connecticut State from 2018-2020. During his tenure, the Blue Devils won seven Northeast Conference titles. In his first year at Central Connecticut State, departmental fundraising saw a 40 percent increase.
FGCU President Aysegul Timur said in the press release that Barrio will also serve as a member of the President’s Cabinet. He will be the first Athletic Director in the university’s history to do so.
Barrio checks all the boxes FGCU was looking for in a new athletics director.
“FGCU Athletics has built tremendous momentum in recent years, and I am excited to continue that trajectory with Brian Barrio as our new Director of Intercollegiate Athletics,” said Timur in the press release. “Brian brings a well-rounded background, outstanding leadership experience and tremendous enthusiasm for the future of the ever-evolving landscape of collegiate athletics. His vision for collaborative leadership, strategic partnerships, community engagement, student-athlete success and fostering a winning culture makes him the right person to lead our athletics program into its next chapter.”
Barrio begins his duties on July 20.
