Connor Smith, Ed.D.
Summary
Values-driven leader with expertise and a complex understanding of NCAA FBS Division I athletics, and a strong focus on student success and achievement. Proven track record in record-breaking fundraising, revenue generation, and enhancing student-athlete experiences. Skilled in donor cultivation/stewardship and team leadership, resulting in significant growth in departmental and community engagement. Committed to fostering a culture of excellence and operational efficiency.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Vice President/Chief Operating Officer
University of North Texas
Denton, TX
02.2023 - Current
- Responsible for the day-to-day operations of the UNT Athletics Department, and the primary decision maker in the absence of the Vice President/Director of Athletics.
- Provided leadership and oversight for each of the following department units: marketing and fan engagement, communications, creative services, revenue share/NIL operations, strength and conditioning, sports medicine, UNT Health intra-system partnership, nutrition, mental health services, capital projects, facilities and events, and department liaison to various campus senior leaders and departments, as well as liaison for various City of Denton leaders and officials.
- Supported the Vice President/AD in donor stewardship and cultivation with several of the department's major donors and key relationships.
- Assisted the Vice President/AD with organization, communications, meetings, and presentations for his AD Advisory Council.
- Cultivated important relationships with the president's cabinet and chancellor's cabinet in support of the Vice President/AD in our collective efforts to advance UNT and Mean Green Athletics.
- Provided support to the Vice President/AD with all presentations, materials, and deliverables in the planning for meetings and sessions with the Board of Regents, university president, and chancellor.
- Provided organizational oversight and facilitated communication for the executive leadership team and the senior leadership team for the athletics department.
- Sport program administrator for men's basketball, secondary for football, and other sports as needed.
- Provided day-to-day guidance, assistance, and leadership to each of the sports program administrators.
- Fostered new partnerships with several community organizations and City of Denton groups to expand outreach and engagement efforts.
- Lead multiple cross-functional teams to ensure the successful completion of organizational goals, KPIs, and the department's new strategic plan.
- Helped lead and coordinate the public-facing launch of UNT’s new five-year Take Flight Strategic Plan in 2023, and was responsible for the accountability and overall progress of the strategic plan.
- Assisted the Vice President/AD in the hiring of eight new head coaches for UNT Athletics, including football, men’s basketball (x2), women’s basketball, men’s golf, women’s tennis, softball, and volleyball.
- Helped lead efforts in the hiring of three senior leaders for UNT Athletics, including the Deputy AD for Revenue Generation, and the Senior Associate AD for Marketing and Fan Engagement.
- Manages non-conference football scheduling for the Mean Green Football team.
- Led efforts to build and establish the new revenue share and NIL in-house structure for UNT Athletics in the post-NCAA v House Settlement.
- Assisted the Mean Green Athletic Fund and UNT Athletics Business Office in the establishment of the Green Lights Fund, an in-house revenue share fund, to advance Mean Green Athletics’ fundraising efforts for NIL and revenue share.
- Chair of the Gameday and Fan Experience Committee for UNT Athletics.
- Led capital project efforts for the following CIP projects: Mean Green Village Renovation ($3.0M), Softball Clubhouse and dugout renovation ($9.9M), and Athletic Center Expansion Phase 1 ($26.0M).
- Provided assistance and support for the largest fundraising effort in Mean Green Athletics history in the Athletic Center Expansion Phase 1 project, which saw 34 of 73 philanthropic gifts from individuals who gave their largest gifts or first gifts to UNT Athletics. Two donors committed over $2,000,000; six gave over $500,000; eight gave between $100,000 and $200,000; and eight gave between $25,000 and $100,000.
- Provided assistance and guidance to the Athletics Ticket Office for multiple football and men's basketball season ticket initiatives, the implementation of new pricing models, and various reseating initiatives to drive new revenue.
- Provided leadership for efforts that yielded a 75% increase in the number of outside events and facility rentals to drive new revenue for UNT Athletics.
- Provided leadership and oversight of the Mean Green communications and creative department, which saw a growth of nearly 220% since spring 2023.
- Led efforts to develop the department's first-ever comprehensive UNT Athletics branding guide.
- Provided oversight and support to the team that brought UNT Athletics our first-ever official bourbon and beer for the Mean Green.
- Helped lead efforts to reach two of the top three largest licensing royalty years in Mean Green Athletics history.
- Led efforts to launch the Mean Green Live pre-game concert series for football, along with several new tailgating, fan experience, and customer service initiatives.
- Led efforts on digital advertising strategy that saw $12 to $16 in ROAS during the 2025 Mean Green Football season.
- Helped lead efforts for the first-ever sellout at DATCU Stadium on October 10, 2025.
- Provided leadership and oversight for all NCAA and conference championship travel, logistics, and coordination.
- Led efforts to develop new practices and procedures to improve academic advising and support services in the new NCAA transfer portal era.
- Managed compliance with SACSCOC accreditation standards for UNT Athletics, in partnership with key campus leaders.
Vice President/Director of Athletics
Dallas Baptist University
06.2013 - 02.2023
- Served as a member of the President’s Cabinet and was responsible for the overall direction and leadership of nearly 450 student-athletes, 25 sport programs, campus athletics facilities, and each full-time and part-time coach or athletics staff member.
- Guided DBU and Patriot Athletics through two conference transitions with Division I baseball, and one transition with DBU’s 14 Division II sport programs.
- Helped lead DBU to department records in grade point average, graduation rates, fundraising, new facilities, brand exposure and growth, conference championships, regional championships, and national championships.
- Helped secure the largest gift in DBU Athletics history, and 11 of the department's largest gifts in department history.
- Served as AD during DBU’s first-ever NCAA National Championship (women’s golf), first NCAA Women's Soccer Final Four appearance, 48 NCAA Division I and NCAA Division II conference championships, and two NCAA Division I Super Regional appearances in baseball.
- During final two years as athletic director, Patriot Athletics had 11 teams ranked in the top 25 nationally, with three number 1 NCAA national rankings.
Adjunct Professor
Dallas Baptist University
01.2013 - 12.2022
- College of Business: Business of Sport.
- College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics: Organization and Administration in Athletics.
- Developed course materials aligned with university standards and student needs; evaluated student performance through assignments, exams, and presentations; collaborated with faculty to improve curriculum content and delivery methods; mentored students in academic writing and research skills for coursework success; developed custom course syllabus outlining standards, material, grading, and progression for students; prepared, administered and graded exams and assignments to evaluate student progress.
- Conducted office hours weekly to provide assistance with course material or address any questions or concerns from students.
- Participated in departmental meetings to discuss teaching strategies and professional development opportunities.
Assistant Director of Athletics for Internal Operations
Dallas Baptist University
04.2011 - 06.2013
- Responsible for the day-to-day operations of the department, including, but not limited to, business operations and finance, ticket operations, online retail store partnership, licensing and brand management, sport camp management and operations, department policies and procedures, facility management, game day operations, marketing and promotions, and event and championship management.
Staff Assistant to the Executive Vice President
Dallas Baptist University
04.2010 - 04.2011
- Day-to-day administrative support to the Executive Vice President. The Executive Vice President's Office provided oversight to Marketing and Communications, Athletics, Financial Aid, Housing, Dining, Police Department and Security, Physical Plant, Capital Projects, Undegraduate and Gradudate Admissions and Enrollment.
Student Worker, President's Office
Dallas Baptist University
12.2009 - 04.2010
Graduate Assistant Golf Coach
Dallas Baptist University
12.2009 - 04.2010
Education
Doctor of Education - Higher Ed Leadership
Texas Christian University
Fort Worth, Texas12.2022
Master of Business Administration - Project Management
Dallas Baptist University
Dallas, Texas12.2011
Bachelor of Business Administration - Business Management
Dallas Baptist University
Dallas, Texas12.2009
Skills
- Strategic planning
- Fundraising
- Donor cultivation and stewardship
- Budget oversight
- Academic excellence
- Revenue generation
- Department and team leadership
- Culture development
- Problem solving
- Head coach hiring and oversight
- Student-athlete experience
- Conflict resolution
- Operations management
- Sports marketing and communications
Hobbies and Interests
- Family
- Golf
- Fitness
- Outdoors
- Reading
Additional Information
- Varsity Golf Student-Athlete - Dallas Baptist University. Served as the team captain during junior and senior years. Awarded the President’s Patriot Award - highest honor and recognition from the university president to one male and one female student-athlete.
- International Leadership - Dallas Baptist University. Led multiple foreign tours and mission trips for various sports teams, including basketball, cheer, soccer, and golf, to countries such as Spain, England, Curaçao, and Chile.
Timeline
Associate Vice President/Chief Operating Officer
University of North Texas
02.2023 - Current
Vice President/Director of Athletics
Dallas Baptist University
06.2013 - 02.2023
Adjunct Professor
Dallas Baptist University
01.2013 - 12.2022
Assistant Director of Athletics for Internal Operations
Dallas Baptist University
04.2011 - 06.2013
Staff Assistant to the Executive Vice President
Dallas Baptist University
04.2010 - 04.2011
Student Worker, President's Office
Dallas Baptist University
12.2009 - 04.2010
Graduate Assistant Golf Coach
Dallas Baptist University
12.2009 - 04.2010
Doctor of Education - Higher Ed Leadership
Texas Christian University
Master of Business Administration - Project Management
Dallas Baptist University
Bachelor of Business Administration - Business Management
Dallas Baptist University