New FGCU athletic director puts business degree to use

In becoming the third athletic director at Florida Gulf Coast University since its inception, Colin Hargis knew he was taking a bigger job at a smaller school with a smaller budget. 

As senior associate athletic director for external relations at North Carolina State University, Hargis helped lead a department with an annual budget of about $100 million, he said. 

Hargis, 41, began his new job at FGCU on April 29 knowing he would have about $15 million in annual funding—and also knowing the budget has more than doubled in the last decade. 

“There’s definitely a difference, right?” Hargis said. “You’re coming from an [Atlantic Coast Conference] institution to an [Atlantic Sun Conference] institution. So, there’s a drastic difference in your operating budgets. 

“The fiscal demands are relative to each institution.  So yes, it’s a smaller budget here, but the demands and the nuances are going to be the same. We still have to be fiscally responsible and be creative to find ways to get things done. We have to analyze what we have and figure out what we actually need and continue to grow this department.” 

Hargis follows Ken Kavanaugh, who oversaw FGCU’s shift to a Division I program, and founding athletic director Carl McAloose in taking the helm. Kavanaugh left in 2023 following 14 years. 

“There’s a short and rich history in our athletics department,” Hargis said. “That’s exciting. We’re still in that blueprint stage. We’re still in that growth stage. That’s really exciting for me. 

“When the community around you is growing, that’s an exciting opportunity. You have the opportunity to tap into that growth.” 

The college sporting landscape has seen drastic changes over the past four years, with Name Image and Likeness legislation allowing college athletes to cash in on their athletic abilities through making sponsorship deals, plus the transfer portal and other changes. 

Hargis said he was poised to navigate these changes. He has a business background more so than an athletic administration one, having majored in business at Wingate University in North Carolina. 

“You take the business side of it,” Hargis said. “You need the resources to support your athletes and your coaches. 

“You’ve got to generate the dollars, and you’ve got to manage the dollars. And if you do it the right way, you can support the student-athletes, the coaches and the programs and give them the resources they need to be successful.” 

And while Hargis said his main focus will be on being the best steward he can be for the athletic program’s budget, he also planned to give guidance to student-athletes as the NIL situation continues to evolve. 

“How do you market yourself?” Hargis said. “How do you create yourself as an LLC, for lack of a better term? The true nature of NIL is fabulous.” 

There’s one other thing Hargis hopes to see FGCU athletics program achieve: winning. 

“What we get to do on a daily basis, that’s the fun part, right?” Hargis said. “Working with student–athletes, making a difference in their lives. 

“You get to utilize athletics. Sports is the medium which brings them to the university. And when you win, and when you can make an impact in someone’s life, whether it’s academically or athletically, or they get to grow. And then through the winning side, we can actually win championships and actually compete for championships—that’s the really fun stuff. That’s the part that we need to celebrate. Because winning is hard, and winning at the highest level is really hard.”