Director of Athletics, UCLA

Hired in May 2020 as the ninth athletic director in UCLA history and the first African-American in the role, the 42-year-old Jarmond finds his biggest challenge is on dealing with the department’s debt. He engineered a six-year partnership between the school and Nike/Jordan, becoming only the fifth Jordan brand school in the nation and the first partnership with Nike in UCLA history. He has also initiated programs for diversity and inclusive hiring, commitments to mental health awareness and assisting athletes in the burgeoning area of Name, Image and Likeness. Jarmond recently extended the contract of football coach Chip Kelly for four years and men’s head basketball coach Mick Cronin for six years.

YEARS ON THE LA500: 1