FSU announces Coburn is retiring at end of spring semester

Florida State athletics director David Coburn, who originally was hired in an interim role before assuming the position on a full-time basis in May 2019, is nearing the end of his tenure with the Seminoles.

On Wednesday evening, Florida State sent out a release saying that Coburn is expected to retire from his post at the end of the spring semester.

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“President (Richard) McCullough has known for some time that I planned to retire at the end of the academic year.

"When I accepted this position, I was determined to get the athletic program and the university I love through a historically challenging period. We are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel in terms of the myriad of COVID-related issues – not the least of which was the potentially crippling budget impact that virtually all schools have suffered through."

When Coburn was appointed by former FSU President John Thrasher in the summer of 2018, the plan called for Coburn to lead the department through difficult financial challenges as Thrasher neared retirement.

The COVID pandemic and other university issues led to Thrasher extending his tenure, and Coburn was eventually promoted to vice president of the university earlier this year.

But the Florida State administration is in the midst of a complete overhaul.

Thrasher retired this summer and was replaced by new FSU President Richard McCullough. The university also has a new chair of the FSU Board of Trustees, Peter Collins, who replaced former chair Ed Burr.

McCullough and Collins likely will lead the search for a new athletics director, although Coburn is still serving in that capacity.

"Our athletic department is in excellent shape," Coburn said. "We have coaches and staff who are recognized as being among the very best in the country and we have phenomenal student-athletes who compete at the very highest level of intercollegiate athletics.

"I have enjoyed the position as athletics director a great deal and it has been very rewarding, but this program needs an athletic director who will be here for the long term. It is just a good time to step away and let the next generation take it from here.

"I have agreed to stay on until the end of the spring semester or until the position is filled, whichever comes sooner.”

Said McCullough in the same press release: "Earlier this year, David Coburn shared with me his intention to retire, and I appreciate his willingness to continue to serve until his successor can be named.

"David has been a tremendous Athletics Director for the past three and a half years. He stepped into this role when the Athletics Department needed his leadership skills and extensive budgetary expertise. He guided the department through some challenging times, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

"During his tenure, FSU athletics teams have enjoyed across-the-board success, highlighted by a women’s soccer national championship, a men’s basketball ACC title and trips to the College World Series for both the baseball and softball teams.

"As an FSU alumnus, David has always cared deeply about this university, and we thank him for his loyalty and dedication.”

*ALSO SEE: Additional follow-up comments from Ira on the A.D. situation

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