Walsh University has appointed Nathan Cochran Vice President for Athletics and Athletic Director effective February 6, 2023. Cochran joins the Cavaliers from Xavier University of Louisiana, where he served as Executive Director of Athletics and Recreation. In that role, he oversaw 14 sports, the university recreation department and club sports.
“After an extensive review of nearly 40 incredible candidates from across the country, Nathan’s enthusiastic leadership style coupled with an amazing professional track record set him apart. He is an exemplary leader and follower who shares our commitment to furthering the largest leadership laboratory on campus and contributing to the work of building Walsh 4.0,” said President Tim Collins. “We are pleased to welcome this leader, this athlete, this scholar to the President’s Cabinet as we build a “best-in-class” intercollegiate athletic program alongside his amazing colleagues in our Athletic Department. It’s a pivotal time for Walsh University athletics as we grow our portfolio of competitive athletic programming with the addition of women’s STUNT and men’s sprint football – we thank Our Lady of Perpetual Help for her intercession in guiding Nate to Cav Nation – Swords Up!”
Cochran’s professional career spans nearly 20 years as a collegiate administrator and a football and track and field coach with nearly 50 percent of his employment with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). In a short time at Xavier, the athletic programs won five conference championships and Xavier’s first NAIA National Championship in Coed Competitive Cheer. In addition, Xavier was the first HBCU to win a National Championship in the sport with the highest score ever achieved. Cochran also successfully launched the inaugural athletic hall of fame, a fundraising and sponsorship campaign and a fan engagement app (XULA GOLD) for Xavier Athletics. Additionally, under Cochran, Xavier was the first National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) institution to partner with INFLCR, an app to assist student-athletes with Name Image and Likeness (NIL) partnerships and education.
Prior to Xavier, Cochran served as Assistant Head Football Coach and Coordinator of Recruiting and Compliance at Kentucky State University. KSU’s 2019 team was NCAA Division II’s most improved and produced the second-largest improvement by a Division II HBCU since the NCAA started compiling statistics in 1996.
Cochran has served on several national committees such as the NAIA Respect, Inclusivity, Support and Education (RISE) committee, the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA) NAIA committee, and the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation Board. He is also a member of the American Football Coaches Association, the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, USA Track & Field Georgia and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. As a youth, in his hometown of Boulder, Colorado, he achieved Eagle Scout and Order of the Arrow.
Cochran received a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from South Carolina State in 2000, where he was a two-year football letterman, and in 1998, he earned the team’s academic achievement award. Cochran received a master’s degree in management from Webster in 2003, and he is working on a doctorate in adult and higher education from Morehead State University. He will defend his dissertation in spring 2023.
