Mr. Terry Kernan ‘08 Named Gonzaga’s Next Athletic Director

Following a nationwide search that began early in the fall semester, Gonzaga is proud and pleased to announce Mr. Terry Kernan ‘08 as the school’s next Athletic Director. 

Mr. Kernan is an educator by vocation and a model servant leader. He has been serving as Assistant Athletic Director and is also a long-standing member of Gonzaga’s math department. He played both football and basketball at Gonzaga and continued his football playing career at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Mr. Kernan returned to Eye Street full time in 2015 to teach math and coach, before transitioning to the Athletic Department three years ago. He earned his Master’s degree from the University of Scranton in Curriculum and Learning in 2019 and will continue to teach a math course at Gonzaga and serve on the Academic Council, in addition to his Athletic Director responsibilities.

“I am honored to follow in the footsteps of my friend, mentor, and coach, Joe Reyda,” says Mr. Kernan. “I look forward to leading the young men and coaches of Eye Street as we uphold and build upon our tradition of excellence on and off the playing field.”

In an email to faculty and staff announcing the appointment, Gonzaga's President Father Joseph E. Lingan, S.J. '75 wrote: “Over the past seven months, since the passing of Joe Reyda, Terry has demonstrated outstanding generosity, dedication, commitment, and service to Gonzaga and Gonzaga Athletics, and he has done so with genuine humility and competence.“

Mr. Kernan’s dedication to Jesuit education, extensive knowledge of the WCAC and strong, pre-existing relationships with our athletic programs will serve him well. He will continue to work closely with Assistant Headmaster for Student Life, Mr. Jim Kilroy, who describes Terry as “a loyal, committed educator at heart – a person who is dedicated to fostering an athletic culture that represents an authentic extension of the Jesuit mission we share on Eye Street, where young men are formed in mind, body and spirit.”

Gonzaga is grateful to the many alumni, coaches, faculty and staff members who took part in this search process. Congratulations, Mr. Kernan, and best wishes to all of Gonzaga’s student athletes as the winter season continues.