Portland State names Matt Billings to serve as Director of Athletics

Matt Billings has been selected as the new Director of Athletics at Portland State University by PSU President Ann Cudd.

Cudd chose Billings following a national search to be the leader of the Vikings Athletics Program. Billings, who has served as the Deputy Athletics Director for Vikings Athletics, has more than a decade of experience at PSU and more than two decades in college athletics.

"In Matt Billings, Portland State University has an Athletics Director who knows the university, understands our culture and has ambitious plans for our programs," said PSU President Ann Cudd. "I'm excited to welcome him into this role and look forward to his steady leadership and working with him to ensure that Athletics will remain an engaged and supportive partner for the entire campus community."

In his first stint with the Portland State Athletics Program, Billings spent eight years as the department's Associate Athletics Director for Compliance and Student Services, then Deputy Athletics Director (2011-19). Billings moved on to Eastern New Mexico University as Athletics Director in time to lead that program through the COVID-19 pandemic. While there, he developed policies to support a safe return to play for student athletes, hired a head men's basketball coach who won the first conference championship in 31 years, and implemented a no-cost mental health program for student athletes. Billings returned to the PSU program in the summer of 2022 as the Deputy Athletics Director under former PSU AD John Johnson.

Billings has laid out a vision for PSU athletics that includes ensuring that athletes are successful in the classroom as well as in athletics. He is also committed to ensuring that coaches continue to develop their skills for their own development and to benefit our student-athletes.

"I am honored to be selected as the next Athletic Director at Portland State University. I would like to thank President Ann Cudd, Search Committee Chair Dr. Chris Carey and the other search committee members," said Billings. "Portland State is a special place for myself and my wife, Christi. This is our home and we feel very fortunate to be a part of this amazing group of student-athletes, coaches and staff. We will do it the right way each and every day. I will work tirelessly to tell the amazing story about this department."

In his Deputy AD role, Billings managed and oversaw the day-to-day internal operations of the department, including Operations, Athletic Training, Human Resources and Student Conduct.

During his professional career, Billings has worked in Athletics Administration as a Director of Compliance at Weber State University, Boise State University and University of Southern California. Billings holds bachelor's degrees from Utah State University in political science, and Idaho State University in economics. He holds a master's degree from Idaho State University in athletic administration.