Virginia Tech athletic director Brian White makes first key hire

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Florida Atlantic University introduces Brian White as the school's athletic director on Wednesday, March 14, 2018 in Boca Raton, Fla. (Jim Rassol/Sun Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

The Virginia Tech Hokies ended their search for a new athletic director less than two weeks ago, hiring Brian White, formerly the AD at Florida Atlantic University. White, 42, was one of the top young ADs in the country and has spent time at Louisiana Tech, Tulsa, Army West Point, and Missouri before taking over at FAU in 2018.

White comes from a family of athletic administrators, as his father, Kevin, is a longtime former AD at several schools, most notably Notre Dame and Duke. White’s brother Danny is the current athletic director at Tennessee, while another brother, Mike, is the current head basketball coach at Georgia. White’s sister Mariah is the assistant athletic director at SMU.

White has made some big-time hires over the years, most notably national championship basketball coach Dusty May. On Monday, White made his first hire for Virginia Tech, as the Hokies announced the hiring of Ryan Gottlieb as Deputy Athletics Director and Chief Strategy Officer.

Another big addition to our leadership team

https://t.co/WIqPy5rklUpic.twitter.com/RY88MsHBkN

— HokieSports (@hokiesports) July 1, 2026

Here’s how Virginia Tech’s official website explained Gottlieb’s newly created role with the Hokies.

Gottlieb will serve as the department’s chief strategist for commercial growth and innovation, helping shape Virginia Tech Athletics’ long-term vision in an increasingly dynamic collegiate athletics landscape. As a member of White’s executive leadership team, he will focus on developing enterprise-wide strategies that enhance revenue opportunities, modernize business operations and position the department for sustained success.

Gottlieb comes to Blacksburg from FAU, where he worked under White as the Deputy Athletics Director and Chief Commercial Officer. Before his time at FAU, Gottlieb spent time at Rutgers, Georgia Tech, Alabama-Birmingham, Louisiana Tech, and Colorado.

White released the following statement on Gottlieb’s hiring:

“Ryan is one of the most respected and innovative revenue generators in college athletics, and we are thrilled to welcome him and his family to Blacksburg. His experience building sustainable revenue models, enhancing the fan experience and creating strategic partnerships will be invaluable as we continue positioning Virginia Tech Athletics for long-term success. Ryan understands the rapidly evolving landscape of college athletics and brings a unique blend of creativity, strategic vision and operational excellence that aligns perfectly with our ambitions for Hokie Nation.”

White and Gottlieb are proven fundraisers, aligning with Virginia Tech’s renewed commitment to funding athletics at the top of the ACC, a move that directly led to the hiring of head football coach James Franklin.

Times are different in Blacksburg.

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