CMU AD Michael Alford leaving to become CEO of Seminole Boosters at Florida State
Michael Alford paces the sideline before Central Michigan takes on Wisconsin Sept. 7 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wisconsin.
Editors note: This story has been updated to include a statement from Central Michigan Athletics.
Central Michigan athletic director Michael Alford is moving on from his position at the university.
ESPN's Adam Rittenberg reported Alford, 51, is moving on to become the CEO of the Seminole Boosters at Florida State.
According to a statement released just before noon on July 15, Alford will begin his new role with FSU on Sept. 1. Alford has also committed to helping CMU President Bob Davies with the search to find the next athletic director. That search will begin immediately.
“CMU’s authentic culture and commitment to not just winning at the Division 1 level but excelling in an upper mid-major conference is unparalleled,” Alford said in the statement. “Our success on and off the field demonstrates that. I am committed to working with the president to help find a successor committed to our mission of excellence, which promises to provide an authentic environment where student-athletes can thrive in academics and athletics.”
Alford was hired at CMU in July 2017 after stints at Oklahoma, the Dallas Cowboys, Alabama, ESPN, Southern California, the Cincinnati Bengals and the University of Cincinnati. Alford replaced Dave Heeke, the current athletic director at Arizona.
During his time at CMU, Alford led the way in fundraising and planning for the Chippewa Champions Center, the $32.5 million project overlooking the north end of Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
In the 2019-20 season alone, four CMU coaches — wrestling's Tom Borrelli, volleyball's Mike Gawlik, women's basketball's Heather Oesterle and football's Jim McElwain — won Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year awards in their sport.
Alford hired nine new head coaches for football, women's basketball, gymnastics, golf, field hockey, track and field, soccer, softball and baseball.
“Michael’s leadership will be sorely missed,” Davies said in the statement. “He understands that the student in student-athlete comes first, and it was evident that every move he made to enhance CMU’s championship culture and program was intended to help students succeed not only on the field but in the classroom.”
One of Alford's biggest hires was McElwain. Their previous relationship at Alabama helped bring the coach to CMU and led the biggest turnaround in the Football Bowl Subdivision in just one year. McElwain guided the Chippewas to an 8-6 record, an undefeated home record, 6-2 mark in the MAC, a MAC West Division title, a berth in the conference title game and a berth in the 2019 New Mexico Bowl.
