Oklahoma State Athletic Director Mike Holder To Retire in June

STILLWATER – Oklahoma State President Burns Hargis will be presenting the OSU/A&M Board of Regents on Friday with a leadership transition within in the OSU athletic department.

[Hargis] will recommend Mike Holder's appointment as athletic director emeritus to recognize his leadership and achievements over the past 16 years and the selection of Chad Weiberg as athletic director, both effective July 1, according to a release sent out by the university.

"We are in awe of the massive upgrade in athletic facilities under Mike's leadership. I am personally appreciative of his adherence to honest principles in the performance of his duties leading our athletic department," said President Hargis. “Serving with Mike to elevate and advance our alma mater has been a great privilege for me. Mike loves OSU. He has dedicated his career to building a championship golf program and athletic department centered around helping athletes succeed in their sports, in the classroom and, most importantly, in life. As a result, I will recommend his appointment as athletic director emeritus."

Holder will officially retire when the end of his current contract comes up in June, making way for Weiberg to take over.

“Today is about the future of Oklahoma State University athletics. Chad Weiberg is the new sheriff in town and he needs all of us to saddle up and ride for the brand. Get ready Cowboys and Cowgirls. If you do your part, then the best is yet to come,” said Mike Holder, OSU athletic director.

Pokes Report publisher Robert Allen first heard of the potential retirement Thursday morning.

Mike Holder took over as the Director of Athletics at Oklahoma State after former athletic director Harry Birdwell announced his resignation back in 2005. However, his coaching career began at Oklahoma State when he took over the golf program back in 1973.

He’d go on to have one of the most-successful coaching careers in NCAA history winning eight NCAA titles, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1983, 1987, 1991, 1995 and 2000, becoming just one of five coaches in NCAA history to win a championship in four different decades. He also led his team to an impressive 21 Big Eight championships, second only to Kansas coach Phog Allen.

While at the helm of the athletic department, five more Oklahoma State teams have won national titles, wrestling and golf in 2006, cross country in 2009, 2010 and 2012, and golf again in 2018. 11 different OSU teams have also combined to win 46 Big 12 titles under Mike Holder.

However, Holder isn’t only known for his prowess on the golf course. It’s safe to say one of his greatest accomplishments at Oklahoma State was forming a relationship with T. Boone Pickens, which led to the $165 million donation, leading to the renovation of Lewis Field into the palace that is Boone Pickens Stadium.

He also led the way for the Michael and Anne Greenwood Tennis Center, the Sherman E. Smith Training Center for football, Neil Patterson Stadium and the immaculate O’Brate Stadium. Of course, there’s also Holder’s crown jewel: Karsten Creek.

"It is hard to describe the magnitude of the impact Mike Holder has had on Oklahoma State Athletics during his 16-year tenure," said Rick Davis, Chair of the OSU/A&M Regents. "He has elevated our athletic program to a level once unimaginable in national prominence and prestige by developing and building athletic facilities on par with any in the nation. The athletic village envisioned by Mike and his dear friend and our beloved alum, Boone Pickens, faced a lot of doubters in the beginning who questioned if it was even possible or practical. The inauguration of the $70 million O'Brate collegiate baseball stadium this past week marks another capstone achievement under the leadership of Mike Holder. We are grateful to Mike for his historic facility development, fundraising achievements and leadership in guiding the department which includes several conference and national championships.”

With his appointment in July, Weiberg will be tasked with helping lead the OSU athletic department out of the pandemic-induced financial shortfall. Weiberg graduated from Oklahoma State with degrees including a Bachelor and Master of Business Administration.

He will be signing a four-year contract at $750,000 annually.

"I am humbled by this opportunity. I want to thank the Regents, President Burns Hargis, and Mike Holder, and I am honored to be entrusted with the responsibility of building on their successes. I have loved Oklahoma State since my dad, Mick, coached on Paul Hansen’s basketball staff in the 1980s. It is a special place with special people and a storied athletic tradition. We have exceptional coaches, remarkable student-athletes and an incredible staff. Coach Holder has done more at OSU than anyone imagined possible since he became athletic director. He put us in position to be competitive on a national level, transformed our facilities and helped us raise the expectations we have of ourselves. I hope to honor his accomplishments by building on them,” said Weiberg.