Gary Barta Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK

Iowa AD Gary Barta to retire after 17 years

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated 5/26/23

Iowa athletic director Gary Barta is retiring after 17 seasons overseeing Hawkeyes athletics.

His decision to step away was announced by the school, which stated that his retirement will become official on Aug. 1, 2023.

Barta is one of the longest-tenured athletic directors not just in the Big Ten, but among all Power Five schools.

“It has been an absolute privilege and honor to serve in this role the past 17 years. I’m humbled to have worked beside, and on behalf of, so many student-athletes, coaches, staff, donors, fans, and community leaders over the past two decades," Barta said in a statement.

"… The success enjoyed by our student-athletes and coaches during my entire tenure, and especially the past several years, has been impressive and record breaking on so many levels.

"My wife, Connie, and I were blessed to be able to raise our two kids (Luke and Madi) in this wonderful community. The four of us will be Hawkeyes for life."

After 17 years at Iowa, Henry B. and Patricia B. Tippie Director of Athletics Chair Gary Barta announces his retirement. #Hawkeyes
— The Iowa Hawkeyes (@TheIowaHawkeyes) May 26, 2023

Iowa will move forward from Barta with an interim athletic director the school will announce sometime next week. Whether or not that person remains in the permanent role is yet to be seen, but it does sound like this has been a decision a long time coming — at least on Barta's end.

"This decision didn’t come suddenly, nor did it come without significant thought, discussion, and prayer," he said. "As I’ve reflected, I came to the conclusion there’s never a good time to step away…because there’s always more to be done. That said, I’m confident this is the right time for me and for my family."

Under Barta's watch, Iowa athletics won four NCAA team titles, 27 Big Ten team titles and boasted almost 500 All-America athletes. Barta served on the College Football Playoff Selection Committee from 2019 to 20201, serving as chair for two of those years.

He was the 2015-16 National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics/Under Armour Athletic Director of the Year.

More must-reads: