Hart leaves what's expected to be a highly sought-after job following SMU's conference switch and CFP appearance.

Rick Hart is stepping down after 13 years as athletic director at SMU, which in the past year completed its long-desired move into a power conference by becoming a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

SMU athletics director Rick Hart announced Friday he will step down at the conclusion of the 2024-25 academic year. A third-generation athletics administrator, Hart has been SMU's athletics director since 2012. From a football perspective, the Hart era has been a successful one on the Hilltop:

Hart has served in the role since 2012 and led the Mustangs in their transition to a power conference. His announcement comes shortly after President

SMU announced Hart's departure on Friday, marking an end to Hart's 12-plus years on the Hilltop. He'll stay in the role until a new athletics director is hired and on campus, but this will be his last academic year at SMU, the announcement said.

Athletic Director Rick Hart announced in a statement Friday he will be stepping down from his position after more than a decade leading the Mustangs. Hartzell will now get the chance to bring in his own athletic director when he officially takes over as president on June 1.