Drake University’s commitment to excellence in athletics has once again been recognized on a national scale. The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) has awarded Brian Hardin, Director of Athletics at Drake, with the prestigious 2026 NACDA Athletics Director of the Year Award, as announced on March 16.
This honor places Hardin among the elite in collegiate sports administration, being only the second athletics director from Drake to be acknowledged since the award’s inception in 1999. Sandy Hatfield Clubb, recognized in 2013–2014, is the only other Drake representative among the 633 honorees in the award’s history.
“I’m honored to have my name mentioned with the other recipients this year, but this award is not about athletics directors, it is about athletics departments,” Hardin stated. “We are blessed to have incredible people that serve Drake student-athletes as coaches and staff members. All that has been accomplished has been due to alignment we have with University leadership as well as a shared commitment to sustained excellence by all within our department. I’m proud Drake Athletics has earned this recognition.”
Under Hardin’s leadership, which Drake University President Marty Martin refers to as a “golden era” for Drake Athletics, the university’s sports teams have achieved remarkable success. In the past seven years, twelve programs have collectively made 37 appearances at NCAA Championship events, securing 17 regular season titles and 14 conference tournament championships. Impressively, 14 of the 18 athletics programs have finished in the top three within their respective conference standings, with the football, men’s soccer, and women’s soccer teams claiming league titles this season.
Additionally, Drake’s triumph in the Missouri Valley Conference All-Sports Trophy in the 2023-24 year marked them as only the second private institution to achieve this in 63 years, followed by a third-place finish in the 2024-25 campaign.
Hardin’s aptitude for recruiting and retaining top coaching talent has significantly contributed to Drake’s success. Twelve coaches have been named conference coach of the year 19 times, with seven of these coaches having been appointed by Hardin. Notable hires include Todd Stepsis, Allison Pohlman, Pat Flinn, Darian DeVries, and Ben McCollum, all of whom have led their teams to commendable performances.
Among the highlights of Hardin’s tenure are two men’s basketball NCAA Tournament victories in 2021 and 2025, the unprecedented qualification of both men’s and women’s basketball teams for the NCAA Tournament in the same season, and the first-ever trip to the FCS Playoffs for the football team. The university’s soccer, cross country, tennis, and track and field programs have also celebrated significant accomplishments, including standout performances by All-American Isaac Basten and Drake Relays champions Brooke Mullins and Emilie Meyer.
Academically, Drake student-athletes have excelled, achieving seven perfect scores on the NCAA’s Academic Progress Report in 2023—a record number for the institution. The following year, Drake led the Missouri Valley Conference with six perfect scores. Since 2017, all Drake sports teams have recorded their highest collective grade point averages, with over 20 student-athletes earning Academic All-America honors.
Hardin’s influence extends beyond the field, with significant advancements in fundraising, facility improvements for athlete training and competition, and solidifying the Bulldogs’ status as Des Moines’ Hometown Team.
Brian Hardin’s connection to Drake runs deep, with his parents, Bob and Jan Hardin, being alumni of the university. A 1998 graduate of Valley High School in West Des Moines, Brian was a champion at the Drake Relays during high school and continued to compete at the university level throughout his time at Marquette University.
For more details, view the complete list of 2026 NACDA Athletics Director of the Year Award winners.
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