Cameron Walker named Utah State’s next athletic director
Utah State University announced on Sept. 21 Cameron Walker has been named its next vice president and director of athletics, a hire that brings one of college athletics’ rising administrators back to the Mountain West.
Walker will officially begin Oct. 6 and be introduced later this week at a press conference on campus.
Walker comes to Logan from the University of Tennessee, where he served as senior deputy athletics director and chief strategy officer while also directing the UT Athletics Foundation. In Knoxville, he oversaw compliance and legal affairs, facilities and event operations, sport administration and NIL initiatives. He also served as sport administrator for the football program and men’s basketball from 2021–23, working closely with head coaches and athletic department staff during a period of growth for the Tennessee Volunteers.
His move to Utah State concludes a nine-year run working alongside Tennessee athletic director Danny White, first at University of Central Florida and then with the Volunteers. White praised Walker’s role in Tennessee’s success, calling him a leader who had a direct hand in rebuilding the department.
“Tennessee’s loss is Utah State’s gain,” White wrote. “Cam is a talented leader who will undoubtedly bring Utah State to a whole new level. His experience, skillset and passion for college athletics will serve Utah State and the Logan community exceptionally well.”
Walker also drew praise from across the country. Oklahoma’s athletic director Joe Castiglione called him “one of the bright young stars emerging to help lead college athletics forward through this historic period of change.”
North Carolina’s Bubba Cunningham described him as “a thoughtful leader” who “will do an extraordinary job at Utah State.” Pittsburgh’s Allen Greene added that “Utah State hit a home run with this hire,” citing Walker’s ability to manage complex challenges and prepare programs for long-term success.
Before his time at Tennessee and UCF, Walker spent six years at Utah Valley University in Orem. There, he served in several leadership roles, including associate athletic director, with oversight of compliance, academics, student-athlete development and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
He also taught as an adjunct professor in business law and leadership courses while helping secure NCAA grants to fund additional staffing and student-athlete support initiatives. His early career included a stint as assistant baseball coach at Southern Virginia, his alma mater.
A native of Rexburg, Idaho, Walker played baseball at Ricks College and Southern Virginia, where he was a two-time Academic All-American and team captain. He graduated with a degree in business management in 2007 and later earned his law degree cum laude from the University of Arkansas. He and his wife Heather, a Heber City native, have four children.
Utah State officials highlighted Walker’s ties to the region and his broad administrative background as key reasons for the hire. Interim President Alan L. Smith said Walker “has the breadth and depth of experience, local ties and legal background” necessary to guide the Aggies into the restructured Pac-12 Conference, which the university is set to join in fall 2026.
Walker said he looks forward to the opportunity and to returning to Utah.
“Utah State has a promising future and significant potential, and I look forward to helping bring that vision to life,” he said in the university’s release. “My family and I are excited to get to Cache Valley.”
The appointment ends a search that began in July after former athletic director Diana Sabau left for Maryland. Sandy Barbour, former Penn State athletic director, served in the interim.
Walker steps into the role at one of the most pivotal moments in Utah State’s history, charged with guiding the program through realignment, expanding fundraising and NIL opportunities and preparing for the challenges of a new conference home.