MSU athletics director takes job in Kentucky

Kyle Moats, Missouri State University's director of athletics since 2009, is exiting the school for a job in Kentucky.

Eastern Kentucky University has hired Moats as vice president and director of athletics, according to a news release. Moats starts July 1 at EKU.

"Kyle Moats has served our university extraordinarily well during the past 15 years," MSU President Clif Smart said in the release. "He has run our athletic department with integrity and with an emphasis on academic success. He has been an outstanding member of my leadership team and a great friend. I wish him all the success in this next position."

Moats became MSU's 11th athletics director in 2009, when he succeeded longtime leader Bill Rowe, who retired.

Under Moats' leadership, MSU recently announced plans to transition to Conference USA from the Missouri Valley Conference. He's credited in the release with overseeing successes that include the Missouri Valley Conference All-Sports Trophy in 2011 and 2018, facility upgrades totaling nearly $22 million and academic performance upgrades among student-athletes. He previously served 14 years at the University of Kentucky, and he has experience at the University of Louisville.

"I first want to thank Missouri State University and President Clif Smart for 15 wonderful years in Springfield," Moats said in the release. "We worked together on many tasks, and I'm proud of what we accomplished. I also want to thank the fans, alumni, students and staff for their loyal dedication to Bears athletics during my tenure. It was a privilege to be your AD."

The release indicates that information on the naming of an interim MSU athletics director and a search for Moats' successor would be available at a later date.

Moats' salary is $185,000, and he’s eligible for incentive pay, according to a list of athletic employment contracts on MSU’s website. Moats' contract also states he must pay $185,000 in liquidated damages to MSU if he elects to obtain other employment prior to June 30, 2025.