FORT MYERS, Fla. — Florida Gulf Coast University Athletics has its next leader. University President Dr. Aysegul Timur announced Thursday, July 2 that veteran administrator Brian Barrio has been selected as the fourth Director of Athletics in the program’s history.

Barrio, who officially assumes his role on July 20, brings a proven Division I track record to Fort Myers, having spent the last five-plus years running athletic departments at the mid-major level.

“FGCU Athletics has built tremendous momentum in recent years, and I am excited to continue that trajectory with Brian Barrio as our new Director of Intercollegiate Athletics,” Timur said. “Brian brings a well-rounded background, outstanding leadership experience, and tremendous enthusiasm for the future of the ever-evolving landscape of collegiate athletics. His vision for collaborative leadership, strategic partnerships, community engagement, student-athlete success, and fostering a winning culture makes him the right person to lead our athletics program into its next chapter.”

Barrio moves to Southwest Florida following a highly successful four-year stint as athletic director at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County (UMBC) from 2020 to 2024. During his tenure with the Retrievers, Barrio established himself as an elite fundraiser, securing back-to-back departmental revenue records in 2022 and 2023, alongside a landmark $5 million naming rights agreement for Chesapeake Employers’ Insurance Arena.

His administrative success at UMBC extended beyond the ledger. The Retrievers captured 11 America East Conference titles under his watch, while three coaches hired by Barrio earned Coach of the Year honors. Academically, the department achieved a school-record cumulative GPA and registered 10 perfect NCAA Academic Progress Rate scores.

“I am truly honored and excited to join Florida Gulf Coast University as its next Director of Athletics,” Barrio said. “I am deeply grateful to President Timur and the search committee for their trust and confidence and their belief in my vision for FGCU Athletics. I look forward to working alongside a group of talented student-athletes, exceptional head coaches and dedicated staff as we compete for championships and strive to lift FGCU Athletics to new heights.”

Before taking over at UMBC, Barrio managed a 16-sport lineup at Central Connecticut State University from 2018 to 2020. In his opening year, he boosted departmental fundraising by 40 percent and oversaw seven Northeast Conference championship teams during his two-year stay.

With more than two decades of experience in collegiate athletic administration, Barrio also brings a strong legal background to FGCU, holding a Juris Doctorate from the University of California-Hastings College of the Law. He completed his undergraduate studies at Boston College.