June 1, 2006
Paul Krebs was named the University of New Mexico’s 12th director of athletics on March 13, 2006, and began serving his position on June 1, 2006.
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 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 UNM acting President David Harris. “We were especially impressed with the emphasis he places on academic performance and the overall integration of the student-athlete into campus life.”
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 finished 28-3 in 2005-06, the most wins in MAC history. The Falcons were nationally ranked, posted a 19-game winning streak and captured the MAC Tournament championship.
Krebs acquired a $3.5 million gift, the single highest donation ever given to the BGSU athletics department. The school completed 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.