DePaul gives AD DeWayne Peevy contract extension through 2027

Dewayne Peevy, who spent 12 seasons in the University of Kentucky’s athletic department before being named the DePaul athletic director, has earned a contract extension with the Blue Demons.

The news was announced by DePaul on Tuesday afternoon, stating that Peevy will continue to lead the school’s athletic programs until at least June 30, 2027. Peevy was initially hired by DePaul as the AD in August 2020. Before then, he worked in the UK athletics department for a dozen years, the last seven as the deputy director of athletics. He primarily oversaw the Wildcats men’s basketball team.

“On behalf of Allison and our family, I would like to thank President Manuel and DePaul’s Board of Trustees for their confidence, trust, and support,” Peevy said in DePaul’s press release. “I am humbled by how much we have accomplished together in just a short amount of time and energized when I think about DePaul’s future. Our work here is not even close to complete.

“I look forward to continuing working with our students, coaches, faculty, and staff to raise the national prominence of DePaul, develop an engaging and rewarding campus atmosphere, further our mission, and continue to enhance our self-generated revenues to benefit all of DePaul. I am incredibly proud to be at DePaul and leading the Blue Demons towards historic growth and success.”  

A native of Birmingham, AL, Peevy earned his master’s degree from the University of Kentucky/University of Louisville Executive MBA program in May 2021.

He is here to stay 👿 @BlueDemonsAD

➡️ https://t.co/WzD8kO8B9e pic.twitter.com/dixvPEaSzp

— DePaul Athletics (@DePaulAthletics) September 12, 2023

Since taking the DePaul job, Peevy’s name has often been mentioned as the top athletic director replacement option at UK whenever current AD Mitch Barnhart elects to leave his post. Of note, Barnhart can step down from his current position into a special assistant to the president role starting in July 2026 with a six-month notice. Barnhart’s contract runs through June 2028. He’s served as UK’s athletic director since 2002.

With Barnhart in charge, Kentucky has earned six NCAA championship rings, including men’s basketball in 2012, volleyball in ’20, and rifle in 2011, ’18, ’21, and ‘22. Kentucky has also totaled 54 regular-season and tournament conference championships under his leadership, including first-time titles in baseball, women’s tennis, men’s golf, and women’s swimming and diving.

Barnhart has the second-longest tenure among current Power 5 athletic directors behind Oklahoma’s Joe Castiglione. He is currently on the Selection Committee for the College Football Playoff and served on the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Committee for five years. He is one of only four people who have served on the football playoff committee and as chair of the men’s basketball tournament.

While it doesn’t sound like Barnhart or Peevy will be leaving their respective jobs anytime soon, their contract situations will be something to monitor down the road.