TCU has confirmed that Army’s Mike Buddie will be the new director of intercollegiate athletics, according to a campus-wide email. Buddie has served as the AD at the Military Academy at West Point since 2019.

Buddie was a crucial part in Army’s athletic success during his tenure. The football team most recently secured a College Football Playoff ranking at No. 25, winning a record-breaking 12 games. This ties the best record for any service academy in the United States.

President Daniel W. Pullin said that TCU was looking for someone to take the university to greater heights, ensuring a high level of excellence for the future.

“We were looking for an individual who would honor our mission to educate ethical leaders and share our focus on student and community success,” he said.

Buddie also positively impacted Army’s athletics as a whole. In September 2023, he launched a plan to shape the cadet-athletes into leaders and officers in the United States Army.

A $170 million Michie Stadium Preservation Project represents Buddie’s key investments. It’s the most private, gift-funded projects in the history of the Military Academy.

Other highlights from Buddie’s time at Army include a football-only membership to the American Athletic Conference in 2024, a television contract with CBS and partnerships with bowl games and Nike.

Buddie will serve as TCU’s athletic director effective immediately.