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Former Toledo Deputy Athletic Director Nicole Harris will follow incoming Director of Athletics Bryan Blair to Syracuse, the university announced Monday.

Harris is the third deputy director of athletics Blair has added to his staff. Harris will also be the Orange’s senior woman administrator and follows former Notre Dame deputy athletic director Yulander Wells and former Washington senior associate athletic director Charles Small in joining Blair’s staff.

Harris previously worked alongside Blair at Toledo from 2022, where she was the executive associate athletic director and chief operating officer before being promoted to deputy athletic director in 2025.

“Bryan’s vision for Syracuse is truly inspiring, and I’m honored to have the opportunity to join the department during such an exciting time,” Harris said in a press release. “Syracuse has an incredible tradition, strong momentum and a bright future ahead. I look forward to working alongside Bryan and the entire athletics team to support our student-athletes and help build sustained success.”

Working with Blair at Toledo, Harris oversaw the creation of the department’s five-year strategic plan, Rise Together.

“His passion and his energy, you feel that in his presence, and you want to be around him,” Harris told The Daily Orange of Blair in April.

Before Toledo, Harris worked administrator positions at Grand Canyon, Florida Atlantic and Louisville.

Harris praised Blair’s leadership, ability to hire coaches at Toledo and his openness to trying new things.

“His ability to take an organization, an athletic department from good to great, I think you’re gonna see that there (at Syracuse), and you’re gonna flourish under his leadership,” Harris told The D.O.

Now, Harris will continue to work with Blair and be a part of the leadership team overseeing SU athletics.

Published on May 18, 2026 at 11:24 am
Contact Nicholas: njalumka@syr.edu | @nalumkal