TALLAHASSEE, Fl. — Florida A&M University (FAMU) President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., introduced Kortne Gosha as the new vice president and director of FAMU Athletics during the Future of FAMU Athletics Fundraising Breakfast, hosted by the FAMU National Alumni Association, on Saturday at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress hotel.
On Dec. 3, Gosha will assume the position held by John Eason, Ph.D., who announced on Friday that he would be retiring as athletic director, effective Dec. 2.
Gosha’s family members and University supporters were among the audience that greeted Gosha with a standing ovation on the morning of the Florida Blue Florida Classic football game in Orlando.
“I am honored to serve you and all of the students,” said Gosha. “I ask everyone to stand in unity and solidarity. It’s going to take all of us working together to win.”
President Robinson outlined Gosha’s career highlights, then presented the 31-year-old with a FAMU football helmet.
“We welcome Mr. Gosha to the FAMU family with open arms,” said Robinson. “I was amazed at the depth of his vision and look forward to building on the enthusiasm and excitement that was witnessed at this event. Come and show your support of our Athletics Department.”
Gosha said it is a “tremendous honor” to serve as FAMU’s 17th director of Athletics.
“The rich traditions and legacy of excellence have helped create a dynamic culture of perseverance and success at FAMU,” Gosha said. “I am humbled that Dr. Robinson, the Board of Trustees and the Search Committee trust me to lead the next chapter of FAMU Athletics as we relentlessly pursue a world class student-athlete experience and athletics program.”
During the breakfast, Gosha unveiled his strategic plan, calling it a “growth strategy” that is designed to continue helping student-athletes win in the classroom, in the community, and on the gridiron, track and field.
“We will accomplish this by creating a student-centered environment for success, establishing resources for sustained growth, and operating in transparency, compliance, and integrity,” said Gosha. “We will operate at the highest level and employ best practices within intercollegiate athletics. I am extremely excited to get to Tallahassee and begin this process, with the support of the student body, the community, and all of the Rattler family.”
Career History
A native of Birmingham, Ala., Gosha trades in one orange and green for another. He spent the previous year as the associate athletic director for Facilities and Operations at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Fla. In this role, Gosha oversees day-to-day facility and event operations, grounds, custodial, information technology, access control and capital projects.
During his tenure, Gosha assisted with developing more than $50 million in capital improvement projects, including the completion of the Carrol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility. He also assisted on the transition team during the hiring of University of Miami Head Football Coach Manny Diaz. Gosha is no stranger to working with elite coaches and is noted for his great working relationship and operational efficiencies.
Before joining the Hurricanes, Gosha served as associate athletic director and chief operating officer from 2014-2018, assistant athletic director of equipment operations from 2012-2014 at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). During his tenure at MTSU, Gosha is credited with renegotiating the department’s multi-media rights contract, a new contract with apparel provider Nike valued at $10 million, and oversight of $40 million in capital improvement projects, including the $5.8 million Adams Tennis Complex.
While overseeing an annual $36 million operating budget, Gosha was also the led and developed the #BluePrint $120 million athletics facility master plan. As a championship administrator, Gosha continued to elevate the department to unprecedented heights when he cultivated and secured a $1,000,000 gift on behalf of Athletics.
In 2018, Gosha wrote a policy that led to the implementation of alcohol sales at athletic venues at MTSU, making it the first institution in Tennessee to serve alcohol on campus.
Gosha oversaw equipment operations, sports medicine, strength and conditioning, contracts, facilities and all athletic events including post-season competition. He also assisted the director of athletics as sports administrator for football and basketball, while serving as the primary sport administrator for baseball, men’s and women’s track.
Gosha made his way to Murfreesboro from Jacksonville State University where he worked three years as an equipment manager. He served as the Gamecocks student manager from 2007 until July 2011 before being hired full-time in August 2011 as the coordinator of operations and facilities.
At Jacksonville State University, Gosha handled the day-to-day operations, planned team travel, drafted athletic department apparel contracts, served as camp director for summer, coordinated use of athletic facilities, events and coordinated the $47 million Paul Snow Stadium project before leaving his post in 2012.
Gosha earned his degree in political science from Jacksonville State University in 2011 in Alabama and a master’s degree in sports management from Southern New Hampshire University in 2014. He was also accepted into the 2015 class of the Collegiate Athletic Leadership Symposium. Gosha is a graduate of the 2016 Sports Management Institute, the 2018 NCAA Dr. Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute, and a member of the 2019 LEAD1 Association.
Gosha also has memberships in the Athletic Equipment Managers Association, Minorities Opportunities Athletics Association, Collegiate Events and Facilities Management Association and Collegiate Business Management Association.
