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Patrick Kraft Named New Penn State Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics

Penn State has named Patrick Kraft its new Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics the university announced on Friday. Kraft will assume his new role on July 1st.

Kraft, 44, most recently served as Boston College’s athletic director since 2020. He heads to Penn State in the wake of an announcement earlier this spring that longtime Penn State Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Sandy Barbour would retire this summer. Barbour was hired to the role in 2014 and piloted Penn State through a handful of hirings and facility upgrades.

While at Boston College, Kraft steered the hiring of men’s basketball coach Earl Grant and oversaw the department as its women’s lacrosse team won a national title. Away from the field of competition Kraft helped furnish a $15 million gift for a new men’s and women’s basketball facility.

Boston College is currently in the midsts of a search for a new men’s hockey coach.

“I am thrilled to welcome Pat Kraft and his family — Betsy, Annabelle and Joseph — to the Penn State family. He is an exceptional and inspiring leader with the vision, experience and drive to excel in this role and to build upon our tradition of intercollegiate athletic success,” new Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi said. “Along with having a bold vision for excellence and an impressive record of achievement, Pat values teamwork and cares above all about the success and development of student-athletes and coaches on and off the field. With Pat at the helm of our athletics department, the possibilities of what we can accomplish ahead are unlimited.”

Kraft will receive a base salary of $750,000, with additional compensation starting at $500,000 in his first year, according to his term sheet with the university. He can earn up to $250,000 in incentives annually.

Penn State will pay up to $1.9 million toward Kraft’s buyout at Boston College.

Prior to his time at Boston College, Kraft led the Temple athletic department over the span of five years and oversaw the football program’s rise under then head coach and former Penn State linebacker Matt Rhule.

“This is a special opportunity, and I am incredibly honored to join Penn State’s best-in-class athletics program. I am appreciative of President-elect Bendapudi for her support and invitation to come back to Pennsylvania to be part of the Penn State family,” Kraft said. “In the coming months, I am so excited to meet the community and to begin to work alongside Penn State’s talented student-athletes and dedicated coaches and staff to uphold and advance excellence for Penn State. The University is world class, rich with tradition and has passionate fan support, and we will never stray from what has made the program great. My focus will be to provide the best experience for our student-athletes and staff, continue to grow our sports programs, and to enhance the best atmosphere in the Big Ten for our community and fans.” 

Kraft is set to speak to the media at an introductory press conference at 11 a.m eastern.