Northwestern AD Jim Phillips hired as ACC commissioner
The Atlantic Coast Conference hired Northwestern athletic director Jim Phillips Monday to be the league's next commissioner, replacing the retiring John Swofford.
Phillips has been Northwestern's AD since 2008, leading the athletic department through a period of success in competition and growth in facilities. He oversaw the funding of Northwestern's $270 million Walter Athletics Center and Ryan Fieldhouse indoor practice facility located on Lake Michigan's shores.
The Chicago native has also worked at Notre Dame under current Duke athletic director Kevin White and was athletic director at Northern Illinois before taking over at Northwestern in the Big Ten.
Phillips was the first chairman of the NCAA's Division I Council in 2015 and served as the first sitting athletic director on the NCAA Board of Directors and Board of Governors. He is also set to become chairman of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Committee for the 2021-'22 season.
"Jim is well-respected throughout college athletics and knows the enterprise inside and out," Swofford said in a statement. "As I've said many times before, having been an athletic director prior to sitting in this chair is a tremendous benefit, and that will serve him well. Jim will do an excellent job and I will be here to assist with the transition as much, or as little, as necessary."
Phillips was a candidate to become Big Ten commissioner when the conference was searching for a replacement for Jim Delany last year, but ultimately the league went outside of college athletics and hired former NFL executive Kevin Warren.
A person with knowledge of the situation told AP that Phillips agreed to a five-year contract. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the ACC had not released terms of Phillips' deal.
The ACC announced Swofford's retirement in June, though he was to continue in the job until a successor was named and to aid the transition.
The announcement follows a comprehensive nationwide search.
"Jim is one of the most talented athletic administrators in the country and uniquely qualified to successfully and seamlessly take over the helm of the ACC," says ACC Board Chair Kent Syverud (Syracuse University). "Over the course of nearly 13 years, Jim has elevated and cemented Northwestern's position as an outstanding Power 5 athletics program. Northwestern's ascension in the world of intercollegiate athletics is a testament to Jim's vision, leadership and foundational dedication to the success of student-athletes."
Phillips, who assumes the role of ACC Commissioner in February 2021, was named Northwestern's 21st director of intercollegiate athletics and recreation in April 2008. By 2012, Phillips was elevated by Northwestern President Morton Schapiro to the position of Combe Family Vice President for Athletics & Recreation, a title reflecting the campuswide responsibilities of the role as well as its voice on the president's senior staff.
Phillips said that while his departure from Northwestern is bittersweet, he is grateful to have the opportunity to build on the storied success of the ACC.
"With overwhelming gratitude ... I accept this humbling invitation to lead the Atlantic Coast Conference," said Phillips. "Serving Northwestern student-athletes, staff and the greater Wildcats family for the last 13 years has been the privilege of my professional life. The opportunity to watch my children grow up in my hometown, and work alongside leaders like presidents Henry Bienen and Morty Schapiro, as well as board chairs Pat Ryan, Bill Osborn and Lanny Martin, is something I'll always be profoundly thankful for."