COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The Mountain West on Friday hired Gloria Nevarez, who has been leading the West Coast Conference for the last five years, to be its next commissioner.
Nevarez replaces longtime Commissioner Craig Thompson, who announced his retirement in September. She will take over Jan. 1 and become the second woman to lead a major college football conference, joining Conference USA’s Judy MacLeod.
Nevarez, 51, has led the West Coast Conference, home to Gonzaga and one of the top mid-major basketball leagues, since 2018. During her tenure, the conference expanded its national television contracts and added a long-term title sponsor for the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments.