KU director of athletics Travis Goff receives new 7-year deal, title with Jayhawks
LAWRENCE — After propelling many aspects of Kansas Athletics forward during his time as director of athletics, Travis Goff has received a contract extension to remain with the Jayhawks for the foreseeable future.
Goff, a KU alumnus, first joined the university in that role in 2021. The contract he signed in April of that year took him through June 30, 2026, with a starting annual compensation of $700,000 — not including other compensation, benefits or bonuses. This amended contract will take Goff through May 31, 2031, and see his base salary increase from $1.3 million the first year to $1.57 million in the final year — not including bonuses, retention payments and more — as he is also named the university's director of athletics/vice chancellor for athletics.
"Travis has proven to be among the most respected athletic directors in the country and terrific fit for KU at this moment in our history," Douglas Girod, KU's chancellor, said in a KU release. "He has established a culture of excellence and integrity within Kansas Athletics — and done so while navigating unprecedented changes to the collegiate athletics landscape and positioning KU for long-term success. We are thrilled he’s a Jayhawk, and we look forward to his leadership for years to come."
There has been no shortage of things to talk about since Goff took over. Not only has he worked on new contracts for head football coach Lance Leipold, a Goff hire, and head men’s basketball coach Bill Self, among others, but he’s championed the significant renovation underway for David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium and immediate area surrounding it. There’s also the renovation underway for Allen Fieldhouse.
Goff, navigating an ever-changing landscape of college athletics, has set Kansas up to be a leader in the new-look Big 12 Conference. He’s also hired new head coaches for women’s golf, baseball and women’s soccer. Women’s golf is already competing in NCAA postseason play, and baseball and women’s soccer are programs with momentum toward doing the same soon.
The future of collegiate athletics is uncertain at this point, for multiple reasons. Goff, who also helped navigate the end of the NCAA infractions case that concerned its men’s basketball and football programs, has shown an ability to keep the Jayhawks moving in the right direction. With high-profile director of athletics jobs opening in the last year, it’s important KU has kept its leader in Lawrence.
"The University of Kansas is responsible for so many of the blessings in my life: an exceptional student experience and degree, my passion for college athletics and the opportunity for my wife Nancy and I to raise our family in this community, amongst many others,” Goff added in the release. “I have the privilege to work with the best coaches and staff in the country and, together, we serve a remarkable University, passionate fanbase and, most importantly, 500 of the most inspiring young people in society – Jayhawk student-athletes."
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Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He is the National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas for 2022. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: KU director of athletics Travis Goff receives new 7-year deal, title