Iowa State Introduces Jared Benko as New AD

Jared Benko is set to succeed retiring Jamie Pollard as Iowa State’s athletic director, bringing experience from Auburn and his previous leadership of Georgia Southern’s athletics department. At his introduction, Benko said his priorities are people, the department’s foundation and its future, emphasizing student-athlete development, academics and the role athletics plays in the university’s broader educational mission. He also credited the Pollards with building a strong base for the department. Benko takes over amid major shifts in college sports, including conference realignment, name, image and likeness compensation, transfer-portal changes and growing financial pressures.