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LOGAN — John Hartwell has resigned from his position as athletic director at Utah State after seven years.
"I love Utah State University and working as vice president, director of athletics in Logan, Utah, for the last seven and a half years. It has been an honor," Hartwell said in a statement Tuesday afternoon. "During that time, we have had amazing accomplishments.
"As I leave Utah State, I want you to know I have the highest regard for the student-athletes, coaches, staff, student body, the Cache Valley community, and all of Aggie Nation. There is an Aggie team spirit that permeates every part of Logan. It's unlike any place I've seen. After 25 years in the business, my wife and I have agreed that our family, including Heather's aging parents in Arkansas, need to be our No. 1 priority. We need to be there for them and for our beautiful daughters. This is the time."
University President Noelle E. Cockett said in a statement that the school has made "great progress" to build a "positive and supportive culture" and that they will "stay focused on that goal."
"This change in leadership will continue the momentum we have already built."
Hartwell's departure was first reported Tuesday morning by Pete Thamel of ESPN, who said Hartwell said his "family comes first."
The resignation comes days after former Utah State football player Patrick Maddox filed a lawsuit against coach Blake Anderson and the university, claiming retaliation from coaches and teammates after he distributed a recording from a team meeting that, according to court documents, "highlighted the problematic manner in which USU handles conversations about sexual harassment and assault."
Hartwell, an Alabama native, was rumored to be a lead candidate for the athletic director job at Auburn and Georgia Tech. It was announced Monday that Mississippi State AD John Cohen was hired at Auburn, and J Batt filled the Georgia Tech position earlier this month. Per early reports, Hartwell is not a lead candidate for the Mississippi State position.
Utah State Deputy Athletic Director and former Weber State athletic director Jerry Bovee is a likely candidate for the position; however, Utah State said it will undergo a nationwide search to find its new athletic director.
"In this search, we will be looking for an experienced leader who believes in collaboration with university leadership to advance the mission and vision of the institution through athletics and will continue to actively engage in USU's work to improve the campus culture," Cockett said.
Since Hartwell's hiring in 2015, Utah State athletics has had success, including two Associated Press Top-25 finishes in football and seven Mountain West championships across different sports.
Craig Smith was hired in 2017 and led Utah State basketball to three straight NCAA Tournament bids and two Mountain West Tournament championships. Hartwell hired Anderson in Dec. 2020, the Aggies won its first-ever Mountain West football championship in 2021.
