Over the weekend, Desiree Reed-Francois emerged as the leading candidate for the athletic director position at UNLV. On Monday, the school made it official.
https://twitter.com/UNLVathletics/status/854005682072203264
Reed-Francois arrived at Virginia Tech in 2014 as the Senior Associate Athletics Director, and in 2016 was promoted to Deputy Athletics Director. Reed-Francois has served as the primary confidant to Virginia Tech Director of Athletics Whit Babcock, and has been instrumental in helping Babcock run the department. Reed-Francois held a pivotal role during the search for Frank Beamer's replacement in 2015, and even flew to Memphis to allow Bud Foster to meet Justin Fuente. Reed-Francois also served a large role in the hirings of women's basketball Head Coach Kenny Brooks, as well as lacrosse Head Coach John Sung.
Prior to following Babcock to Virginia Tech from Cincinnati, Reed-Francois spent four years at Tennessee, where she was in charge of strategic planning and initiatives. Reed-Francois has also worked at California, San Jose State, Santa Clara and the University of San Francisco. She has also worked as a legal associate with the Oakland Raiders and worked with the NFL's Management Council.