March 13, 2006
Acting University of New Mexico President David Harris announced today that Paul Krebs has been named the school’s 12th director of athletics. The UNM Board of Regents approved the appointment at their regular meeting earlier today.
Krebs replaces Rudy Davalos, who announced his retirement last October after more than 13 years at the University. Krebs will receive a five-year contract. Specific details of the contract will be announced once they’re finalized. Krebs is expected to start his position at UNM sometime in June.
Krebs, 49, has 25 years of experience in collegiate athletics administration, including the past seven years as director of athletics at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. He has also held the title of Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs at BGSU since 2003.
“In an exceptional field of applicants, Paul was the strongest candidate,” said Harris. “We were especially impressed with the emphasis he places on academic performance and the overall integration of the student-athlete into campus life.”
Harris acknowledged the 21-member search committee, headed by Regents’ President Jamie Koch, for their time, diligence and evaluation during the search.
“It was a long and comprehensive process and they handled it expeditiously.” said Harris.
Krebs is no stranger to New Mexico. He has vacationed in the state numerous times, including a visit to Santa Fe over the recent Christmas holidays. His wife, Marjori, has family in Hobbs, Cloudcroft and West Texas. Krebs’ father-in-law, Joe Maddox, was a cattle rancher at what is now the Valles Caldera National Preserve in the Jemez Mountains.
“I’m excited and our family is excited to be here,” said Krebs. “It’s a great opportunity for us. I think it’s a dream job; an opportunity to be the leader of an outstanding athletic program that is the flagship university in the state. I’m humbled that the search committee, David Harris and the Board of Regents would select me. I’m delighted to be here and anxious to get started.”
Krebs’ emphasis on academics is readily apparent. Bowling Green had a 76% graduation rate in the latest NCAA report, the highest in school history and the best in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). Additionally, the BGSU graduation rate for student-athletes exhausting eligibility was at least 92% every year from 2003-05.
In the most recent report of the NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR), all but one Bowling Green program was above the APR cutoff point of 925.
Athletically, the 2004-05 season was one of the best ever at Bowling Green. The football team played on national television five times, captured MAC West and Motor City Bowl titles and finished with a final national ranking of No. 23 in both of the major polls.
The women’s softball program won the MAC Tournament and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Women’s basketball, men’s soccer, and women’s soccer all advanced to the finals of their respective conference tournaments.
The Falcons football program has enjoyed its most successful five-year period in school history, compiling a 43-17 record from 2001-05. BGSU won consecutive bowl games (2003-04) for only the second time in school history and ranked No. 16 in the nation during the 2003 season.
The BGSU women’s basketball team enters the 2006 NCAA Tournament with a 19-game winning streak and a 28-2 record, the most wins in MAC history. The Falcons were ranked 24th in the nation in the most recent national poll after winning the MAC East Division title (14-0) and the MWC Tournament championship.
Krebs acquired a $3.5 million gift, the single highest donation ever given to the BGSU athletics department. The school is completing an $8.7 million student-athlete center with a weight room and training room for all student-athletes, plus team meeting rooms and coaches offices for football.
Krebs began his professional career in collegiate athletics as the Assistant Ticket Director at the University of Oklahoma in 1981. He was promoted to Ticket Director in 1983.
Krebs’ 14-year tenure at The Ohio State University started in 1985 where he served as the Ticket Director. He was named Assistant Athletics Director in 1987, Assistant Athletics Director of Administration in 1991 and Senior Associate Athletics Director in 1993.In his six years as Senior Associate Athletics Director at Ohio State, Krebs managed the daily operation of the department. He was the point person in the planning and design of Ohio State’s Jerome Schottenstein Center (basketball/hockey), Jesse Owens Stadium (track) and Bill Davis Stadium (baseball). He coordinated the renovation of storied Ohio Stadium (football) and was actively involved in fund-raising and securing corporate sponsorship for these facilities.
“I’ve known Paul personally and professionally for more than 20 years,” said Michael J. Cleary, Executive Director of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics. “He is just an outstanding young man and someone who will be a great asset to the University of New Mexico. I think it’s a great fit for him and for the University.”
A native of Canfield, Ohio, Krebs earned a bachelor’s degree in Business from Bowling Green in 1978 and a master’s degree in Athletic Administration from Ohio State in 1981.
Krebs’ wife is an instructor in the Bowling Green College of Education and Human Development. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in Leadership Studies at BGSU. They have two children, a daughter, Taylor, 16, and a son, Jacob, 12.
University of New Mexico Directors of Athletics
Ralph L. Hutchinson – 1911-17
Roy Johnson – 1920-49
Berl Huffman – 1950-51
George “Blanco” White – 1952-June `54
John Dolzadelli – June 1954-55
Pete McDavid – 1956-74
LaVon McDonald – 1975-1979
John Bridgers – 1980-March `87
John Koenig – March 1987-July `88
Gary Ness – July `88-1992
Rudy Davalos – November 1992-August 2006
Paul Krebs – March 13, 2006