Technically, Rick George isn’t stepping away from his job as Colorado athletic director until the end of the school year in June.
With Fernando Lovo officially introduced as his replacement on Monday, however, George has already turned over the keys to his office. Literally.
“I’ve already moved out (of the office),” George told BuffZone. “We had it ready for him when he got here.”
New University of Colorado athletics director Fernando Lovo, right, hugs outgoing athletics director Rick George, left, during an introductory press conference in the Nerdwallet Touchdown Club at the Dal Ward Athletic Center on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (Matthew Jonas/Staff Photographer)
It’s not often that a new athletic director has the opportunity to work side-by-side with their predecessor, but that’s how George and Lovo will operate through June.
“I’m so grateful for your support during this transition,” Lovo said to George during his introductory press conference Monday. “And I can’t wait to roll up our sleeves and get to work together because I can’t do it without you.”
George, 65, has led the CU athletics department since July 17, 2013, but said he feels “really good” about his transition to a new role. He will become a special advisor to chancellor Justin Schwartz and director of athletics emeritus, a move he chose to make in November.
“I haven’t been melancholy or anything like that,” he said. “That’s something that (my wife) Nancy and I wanted. We made that decision that we announced in November and today I feel really good about that decision and I feel really good about being able to work alongside Fernando to help him make this place great.”
While they’ll work together, George said Lovo, 37, is now leading the department.
“It’s really more that I’m his assistant,” George said. “Yeah, I’m still the athletic director until June 30th along with him, but he’s going to call the shots. I’m going to support him. I’ll help him if he needs help on thinking about certain things. But from this day forward he’s going to call the shots and that’s the way it should be, and my job is to support him.”
George, in fact, said he’s not sure how involved he will be with Lovo, because that will be up to Lovo.
“I want to be involved with him at the level that he wants,” George said. “Starting today, this has gotta be his ship that he’s navigating. I want to be his top lieutenant to help him make this what he envisions for it. I think over the next five, six months, he’ll get a good understanding of this, and then, you know, my role will shrink and I’ll do what he asks me to do and I’ll support him along the way.”
In announcing his new role in November, George said he would remain involved with the football program, led by head coach Deion Sanders. The level of that involvement, again, will be up to Lovo.
“I know football would like me engaged, and I do have a great relationship with Deion and his staff and (Rodney Forsett) and that crew,” George said. “So I envision that will continue.
From left: University of Colorado athletic director Rick George, head football coach Deion Sanders and chief of staff Rodney Forsett watch a drill during the We Ain’t Hard 2 Find Showcase on Friday, April 4, 2025. (Matthew Jonas/Staff Photographer)
“I also really want to focus on making sure that (Lovo) meets the right people, our donors, and meets as much of them (as possible), our sponsors and all that kind of stuff. Because, look, his success is going to really rely on our ability to generate more revenue.”
After meeting Lovo for the first time, over Zoom, George called Schwartz, who led the search for a new AD, and said, “That’s a home run hire.”
George felt even better about Lovo after talking with his good friend, Chris Del Conte, the athletic director at Texas.
“Chris put a stamp (of approval) on him and said he’s great at what he does,” George said.
Lovo worked for several years, in two different stints, at Texas and considers Del Conte a top mentor and “a father figure.”
“The thing I took away from Chris that just is so unique with him is just how he treated people,” Lovo said. “I think that was kind of just the foundation for all the success that we were really able to see when I was at Texas. … I take a lot of lessons from him and bounce a lot of things off of him.”
He’ll now do the same with George over the next several months.
“This is a very unique situation to be able to come in and really follow one of the titans of the industry, and I mean that sincerely,” Lovo said. “I know Rick’s going to get tired of me asking him questions, as there’ll be a lot of them, but just really blessed to have the chance to work alongside him.”
As George transitions, he’s eager to work with Lovo and see him take the reins of CU athletics.
“I feel really good about how he’s going to lead this program moving forward,” George said. “We’re going to be better because of him, and I’m excited that he’s here.”
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