Utah State has its man for the school’s athletic director position.
It’s Cameron Walker.
The university made the official announcement Sunday that the administrator who’s previously worked at Tennessee, Central Florida and Utah Valley University will serve as Utah State’s vice president and director of athletics.
He will begin at USU on Oct. 6.
Walker replaces Diana Sabau, who left in July to accept a new position at Maryland. Sabau spent just under two years as Utah State’s athletic director.
Utah State worked with search form Collegiate Sports Associates Executive Search & Consulting in the process of selecting a new athletic director.
“Cameron is a highly regarded athletic administrator who knows what it takes to foster department-wide success in the new era of intercollegiate athletics,” Utah State interim president Alan L. Smith said in a news release. “His breadth and depth of experience, local ties, and legal background make him the perfect individual to lead us into the reimagined Pac-12 and to write the next chapter for USU Athletics.”
Who is Cameron Walker?
Walker holds an extensive work background that included time in Utah before taking him out East, prior to his appointment at Utah State:
Walker most recently worked as the senior deputy director of athletics and chief strategy officer at Tennessee, a position he had held since November 2024. He also added duties as the executive director of the UT Athletic Foundation in July.
Walker initially went to Tennessee in January 2021, working as deputy director of athletics for competitive excellence.
Among his responsibilities at Tennessee, Walker worked as the sport administrator for Vols football since his arrival in Knoxville, Tennessee, and also held the same role for the men’s basketball program from 2021 to 2023.
Prior to his time at Tennessee, Walker arrived at UCF July 2018 and was the school’s senior associate athletics director before a promotion executive associate athletics director for compliance. He worked alongside Danny White beginning at UCF, and followed White, the current AD at Tennessee, to Knoxville.
Walker, a native of Rexburg, Idaho, was the associate athletics director at Utah Valley. Among his responsibilities, Walker oversaw compliance, academic performance, student-athlete development and the student-athlete advisory committee.
“I am honored by the opportunity to lead Utah State Athletics and to continue building on the department’s positive momentum as it integrates into the Pac-12,” Walker said in a news release. “Utah State has a promising future and significant potential, and I look forward to helping bring that vision to life. My family and I are excited to get to Cache Valley.”
What’s next
Walker will be introduced as the school’s athletic director during a press conference this week.
He will begin his tenure as Utah State’s athletic director on Oct. 6.
What others said about Cameron Walker
The university shared several quotes from people who have associated with Walker, in regards to his appointment as USU’s athletic director. Here’s what was said:
“Tennessee’s loss is Utah State’s gain! I couldn’t be more happy for Cam, Heather, and their amazing family, but I’m even happier for Aggie Athletics, and all of its various constituencies. Cam is a talented leader who will undoubtedly bring Utah State to a whole new level. He has been an enormous part of our success in rebuilding Tennessee in so many ways. His experience, skillset, and passion for college athletics will serve Utah State and the Logan community exceptionally well!” — Tennessee vice chancellor and athletics director Danny White
“Utah State hit a home run with this hire! Cam’s work ethic, critical thinking skills and his ability to navigate complex challenges have prepared him well for this opportunity. Cam brings with him the perspective and leadership needed to elevate Aggie Athletics, and I look forward to watching the great impact he will make in Logan. Congratulations to Cam, Heather and the kids on this exciting next chapter!” — Pittsburgh athletics director Allen Greene
“Cam Walker is truly one of the bright young stars emerging to help lead college athletics forward through this historic period of change. He’s a forward-thinker and will engage well with all stakeholder groups. Inspiring hire by the leadership of Utah State University.” — Oklahoma vice president and athletics director Joe Castiglione
“Cam Walker is an outstanding individual, a thoughtful leader and he will do an extraordinary job at Utah State. The student-athletes, the coaches and the community are lucky to have him lead their outstanding program.” — North Carolina athletics director Bubba Cunningham