University of Texas Austin Athletics Director Chris Delconte has been building the Longhorns sports program since 2017.
He follows everything he returns to his beginnings. He was born in Cuernavaca, Mexico and said his parents’ decision to move to America shaped him.
“My father worked there in seminary and in a large orphanage in Mexico. That’s where my parents loved me. It was pretty crazy.”
That “something” was the children’s home on a 147-acre ranch in Taos. Photos of Del Conte, his parents, dozens of children, horses and cows in front of the big red barn on the ranch hanging in his office overlooking the Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium .
“They decided that serving the underprivileged youth would become their mission. I was born into a child’s home, and they decided that this is what they are trying to do in the US. And I didn’t know that it was different.”
When Chris Del Conte learns it’s time to move from TCU to UT Austin
Del Conte began his journey as athletic director at Rice University in Houston, leading the program from 2006 to 2009. He then moved to Texas Christian University, where he served as director of Intercollegiate Athletics from 2009 to 2017.
Del Conte left the comforts built in Fort Worth at Texas Christian University and was not scared to travel down Interstate 35 to work in Texas.
“At that point, I was in TCU for nine years. I wanted to try it. And if I fail, I will fail. Otherwise I won’t. What I’m working I want to see if you believe in Texas and what it is, and if you have the best version of yourself, you have, it’s great.”
Building the Texas Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019 was his vision. This honors UT’s National Champion, Conference Champion, Heissmann winner and the Olympian.
In her moving dressing, Chris Del Conte said, “I represent more than myself.”
CNBC Sports ranks Texas as the second most valuable university sports program in the United States. The man who runs arguably the biggest brand in college sports since 2017 has always been impressed. It’s not an accident. It is the lesson Del Conte, which he learned from his father.
“My father did everything he could to make sure we were dressed, because he always says the first thing he sees about you. How do you say you It really matters if it looks like it,” Del Conte said. “That’s the legacy that I’m true. So, in part, how I dress – I’m doing a zoom call today and no one wears a tie but it’s just me I texted someone, “Is a tie a lost art?” – but who you represent, I represent more than myself. I represent the University of Texas. I represent my parents and my daughter. So how I dress is important to me. It’s expensive, but important. ”
How Chris del Conte approaches and hires top coaches to Austin
The sharply dressed man is a smooth and shrewd operator when it comes to attracting the finest coaching talent to 40 acres.
Del Conte boldly took former TCU baseball coach Jim Schlossnaggle away from rival Texas A&M a day after the Aggies lost in the 2024 College World Series finals.
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“Along with Jim, everyone thinks this is baked. There was nothing baked goods. He was about to win the national championship. But I made a change. I said, “Jim, I’m going to come and see you, you’re going to say ‘no’ on my face, and when I get in front of him (he) he says no to me. I was unable to do so. “Conte said. It’s a college baseball beacon. And he did the Yeoman job at A&M and I knew this was where he wanted to be. And he could have said no, he could have said no, but he didn’t. ”
The way Del Conte hired Arizona swimming coach Bob Bowman was different.
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“Again, we’ve won 15 national championships. Now you’re replacing swimming godfather Eddie Reese. And when you’re trading those people, The shadows are so big, and we looked around and said, “Man, OK, Bob Bowman” – the drop-off program in Arizona, winning the national championship, and perhaps the world’s biggest swimmer (Michael Phelps). I coached and coached. The second greatest swimmer (Leon Marchand) is heading to France for all these Olympic gold medals. I facetied him and said, “Hey, have you got a job?” He said, “Yeah, I’m going to win the national championship, but I want that job.” (i) said, “Okay, I’m going to send you a docu-sign.” “I’ll see you on Monday, let me win it.” That’s the power of Texas. ”
Longhorn Football is the main program that drives revenues in Texas of $271 million. In its first year in the SEC, Texas was only losing to Georgia in overtime in the conference championship game. That led head coach Steve Salkizan to win his second consecutive trip to the college football playoffs.
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“I remember the criticism we got when we hired him. We went 5-7 that year and Steve had a full plan of what it would turn out. Here is our adoption. Here is how we attack it.
Everything goes round for a child raised in Taos, New Mexico
The kids in what Del Conte calls “The Ranch” have always come to visit him at football games where he was the administrator. He hosted some during this year’s Cotton Bowl. From bunk beds as a child to adults, it is the bond he cherishes.
“It’s pretty cool that they’re part of it. They come to my game at my house and come to the game at TCU when I was there,” Del Conte said. It’s actually special. ”
Chris Del Conte Photos
“I lost my father. He lost his life in a tragic situation and couldn’t see this aspect. So having them see it will help me.”
In October 2000, after seeing Chris at a college football game, his father, Robert Del Conte, stopped to help the driver in a broken car. He was stolen and murdered.
“Everything becomes a perfect circle. My little daughter just painted a picture of my father. It was when he said, ‘I’m here for you.’
“Life and death are part of our journey… The nature of how he passed by was daunting to me. I mean, I always cry… he’s going to see my daughter. I think I loved it,” he said.
Chris Del Conte’s contract has been extended until 2030
A year before Del Conte’s contract ended in 2024, the UT System Regent Committee approved an extension to keep him in Austin until August 31, 2030.
The Daily Texas report reports that Del Conte will be paid up to $19.255 million “largest donation of the nation’s nominated athletic director.” Del Conte will make at least $3 million in the last two years.
“Chris Del Conte came to 40 acres with the vision of winning Texas athletics by competing and winning on the field, both competitive and victory. He consistently delivered.” August 2023 statement. “In my opinion, he is the best athletic director in the country. I look forward to his contract being extended to 2030 and I look forward to continuing to work with him in his proud Longhorn Nation. I’m doing it.”
