UNH has named former Richmond Deputy AD Ryan Colton as the Wildcats' new Athletic Director on Monday. (Gra;phic courtesy of UNH Athleteics)

DURHAM — The University of New Hampshire has appointed Ryan Colton as the next Director of Athletics. Colton, who currently serves as deputy athletics director and chief of staff at the University of Richmond, will lead UNH’s 20-sport NCAA Division I athletics program and join the University’s senior leadership team.

“Ryan has the vision, experience, and judgment to lead UNH Athletics at a pivotal moment in college sports,” said Elizabeth S. Chilton, UNH President. “He understands the rapidly changing Division I landscape and what it will take to position our programs for sustained competitive success. Just as important, he recognizes that athletics is an integral part of the university. His focus on strong connections across campus and on the whole student-athlete will help ensure our students succeed in competition, in the classroom, and in their lives after graduation.”

Colton brings 15 years of senior leadership experience in Division I athletics and higher education. During his eight years with the University of Richmond, a nationally recognized Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) program whose football teams competed against UNH for many years as CAA rivals, Colton helped lead the department through a period of significant growth and change while serving as the athletics director’s chief advisor on strategic and operational matters. He oversaw a broad portfolio that included business operations, human resources, legal affairs, compliance, name, image and likeness initiatives, student-athlete conduct and implementation of emerging NCAA policies. He also played a key role in the restructuring and rebranding of the Spider Athletic Fund, helping drive sustained fundraising growth and record-setting annual giving results, while contributing to the development of the university’s NIL strategy and student-athlete development initiatives.

“The University of New Hampshire represents everything I value about higher education and intercollegiate athletics: a commitment to student success, access to opportunity and the pursuit of excellence,” Colton said. “I am honored to join the UNH community and grateful to President Chilton and the search committee for the opportunity to lead Wildcat Athletics. Together with our coaches, staff, alumni and supporters, we will build on UNH’s proud tradition by pursuing championships, fostering academic achievement and creating transformational opportunities for our student-athletes while strengthening the University’s connection to communities across New Hampshire and New England.”

Before joining Richmond, Colton began his collegiate athletics administrative career in his native New England at two Hockey East Association-affiliated institutions. He served as assistant athletics director at the College of the Holy Cross, where he contributed to the administration of the Division I athletics compliance program, supported NCAA education and policy initiatives and oversaw several varsity sport programs. Previously, he served as special assistant to the director of athletics at Providence College, where he worked on strategic projects and initiatives on behalf of the department.

In addition to his athletics leadership experience, Colton has held several public service and legal positions, including serving as a city councilor and council president in Taunton, Mass., practicing law in private practice and serving as a staff member in the Massachusetts State Senate.

Colton previously chaired the NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Committee and has participated in several national leadership development programs, including the Sports Management Institute Executive Program and the NACDA Mentoring Institute. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Bucknell University, where he was a quarterback for the Bison football team. He subsequently earned a Juris Doctor degree from New England Law Boston, completed postgraduate studies at Choate Rosemary Hall and is admitted to the Massachusetts Bar, where he practiced law from 2008-13.

Colton and his wife, Brittany, are the parents of two children, Grady and Ella.

“Ryan emerged as an exceptional leader whose values align closely with those of the University of New Hampshire,” said Debbie Dutton, president of the UNH Foundation, vice president for University Advancement and search committee chair. “The committee was impressed by his authenticity, strategic thinking and ability to bring people together around a common purpose.”

Colton succeeds Allison Rich, who led UNH Athletics from 2022-26. The school announced in April her contract would not be renewed.

CSA Search & Consulting assisted the University with the national search. The firm partnered with UNH to identify and recruit candidates from across the country and helped guide the search process.

Additional details regarding Colton’s start date and introductory event will be announced at a later date.