UC Davis Athletic Director Rocko DeLuca signs five-year contract extension
Chancellor May has high praise for DeLuca as switch to the Mountain West looms
With a bold move to the Mountain West Conference just around the corner, UC Davis has announced that Director of Athletics Rocko DeLuca has signed a five-year contract extension.
“I am honored to serve at such an incredible institution with tremendous leadership, student-athletes, coaches and supporters,” DeLuca said.
“Any success we have experienced over the last few years is a result of alignment, hard work and a shared commitment to excellence throughout our department and across the campus. The future of Aggie Athletics is a bright one and I look forward to working with our student-athletes, coaches, staff, donors, fans and community as we continue to build upon our success.”
Since taking over the position from Kevin Blue in 2021, DeLuca has established a strong vision for Aggie Athletics, emphasizing academic and athletic excellence, student-athlete well-being and strategic growth.
The move to the Mountain West from the Big West Conference will become official on July 1, 2026 for all Mountain West sports except football.
Close observers of Aggie athletics, however, believe that football will soon be in the MWC as well.
Aggie football currently competes in the Big Sky Conference at the Football Championship Subdivision level.
Mountain West football would represent a step up to the Football Bowl Subdivision, the highest rung of college football.
While such a move seems certain, it would be costly with more money needed for added scholarships, stadium expansion and marketing, among other concerns.
That, plus there would be a dramatic need for name, image and likeness support in order to compete at the next level.
With DeLuca's signing, UC Davis has sent a clear signal that the athletic program is on the trajectory envisioned by Chancellor Gary May, who elevated DeLuca to the AD position four years ago.
Noted May, “Under Rocko’s leadership, our student-athletes have excelled on the field and thrived academically and in the community, embodying the essence of the term ‘student-athlete.'
“He has elevated our athletics program in so many ways and has been a tremendous partner to me and to our university leadership. Rocko’s commitment to excellence in all of his endeavors has left a lasting impression on our campus and beyond, and I look forward to continuing our work together for years to come.”
According to May and others, the move to the Mountain West Conference that DeLuca engineered will enhance UC Davis’ visibility and competitiveness while providing student-athletes with new opportunities at the highest levels of collegiate sports.
DeLuca also introduced "Ignite," the department’s first comprehensive strategic plan, laying a foundation for future growth in student-athlete development, competitive excellence, diversity, equity and inclusion, personnel and revenue generation.
In the classroom, academic success has risen under DeLuca’s leadership, with the department recording a 93% Graduation Success Rate (GSR) in 2024, ranking among the top 10 nationally and establishing a program record.
In terms of athletic competition, UC Davis teams have captured 12 conference championships since DeLuca's elevation to Director of Athletics in 2021, with 25 individual Aggies winning conference titles.
Financial growth and stewardship have also been hallmarks of DeLuca’s leadership since his arrival at UC Davis in 2016.
Ticket sales have increased by 108%, contributing to a 150% rise in football revenue, while Olympic sports have seen a 140% revenue boost.
Additionally, annual fundraising has consistently exceeded goals, leading to the department’s budget growth to $50 million in fiscal year 2024.
These financial gains have supported significant investments in student-athlete services and facilities, including the $52 million Edwards Family Athletics Center, a $5 million addition of lights to Aggie Soccer and Dobbins Baseball Stadium, a $3.2 million Aquatics Team Center, and upgrades to softball, baseball and beach volleyball venues.
More than 650 Aggie athletes compete in 25 Division I varsity sports across five conferences, including the Big West, Big Sky, Big 12, MPSF and ECAC.
UCD athletes are enrolled in 71 different undergraduate majors.
Reach Bob Dunning at bobdunning@thewaryone.com
The last sentence is the most impressive to me. At some universities athletes are highly encouraged to major in one of a short list of fields, presumably so they can focus on being athletes.
That’s quite an impressive resumé of accomplishments…and, with a name like Rocco DeLuca, you know these things are going to be especially good. Congratulations to Mr. AD (and Chancellor May)…👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼