Syracuse AD John Wildhack Announces Retirement

Longtime athletic director defends controversial decisions during tenure.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Syracuse University athletic director John Wildhack, 67, has announced he will retire this summer when his current one-year contract extension expires. Wildhack said he had been considering retirement for some time and requested the short-term extension to help with the transition to new leadership.

Why it matters

Wildhack's retirement marks the end of an era for Syracuse athletics, as he has served as AD since 2016 and overseen a period of both success and controversy for the Orange programs. His decisions, including the hiring and firing of high-profile coaches, have drawn both praise and criticism from the Syracuse community.

The details

Wildhack said he asked Syracuse Chancellor Kent Syverud for a one-year contract extension last summer, which was granted. That extension will run through the summer of 2026, at which point Wildhack plans to step down after over a decade leading the athletic department. During his tenure, Wildhack has made several notable hires and firings, including the controversial dismissal of men's basketball coach Jim Boeheim in 2024 after a 47-year run.

  • Wildhack's current contract extension runs through the summer of 2026.
  • Wildhack has served as Syracuse's athletic director since 2016.

The players

John Wildhack

The 67-year-old athletic director of Syracuse University who has announced his retirement effective this summer.

Kent Syverud

The chancellor of Syracuse University who granted Wildhack a one-year contract extension in 2025.

Jim Boeheim

The former long-time men's basketball coach at Syracuse University who was controversially dismissed by Wildhack in 2024 after 47 years with the program.

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What they’re saying

“When my contract was up last summer, I started to wonder just how many more years I wanted to work in the all-consuming world of college sports.”

— John Wildhack, Athletic Director (oneidadispatch.com)

What’s next

Syracuse University will begin a search for Wildhack's replacement as athletic director in the coming months, with the goal of having a new AD in place before the start of the 2026-27 academic year.

The takeaway

Wildhack's retirement marks the end of an era for Syracuse athletics, as he has overseen both successes and controversies during his tenure. His decisions, including the high-profile firing of long-time basketball coach Jim Boeheim, have had a major impact on the university's sports programs and will be a key part of his legacy.