Erick Harper receives 4-year contract extension as UNLV athletics head

Erick Harper, UNLV athletic director, smiles after UNLV defeated Wyoming 73-71 in the 2026 Credit Union 1 Mountain West Championships tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center Wednesday, March 11, 2026. Photo by: Steve Marcus

UNLV has extended athletic director Erick Harper on a four-year contract, interim President Chris Heavey announced today.

Harper has led the department since 2022.

“UNLV athletics has shown tremendous growth both academically and in competition under Erick’s leadership, and I’m excited to see that momentum continue,” Heavey said in a statement.

UNLV teams won 15 conference championships in Harper’s initial four seasons, the university said in a news release.

Football has made three consecutive bowl and Mountain West Championship game appearances while ranking 10th nationally in regular-season wins since 2023. Football revenue grew from $5 million in 2023 to more than $7.5 million in 2025, an all-time school record, the university said.

Additionally, women’s basketball won four consecutive regular-season championships and three Mountain West Tournament titles. Men’s swimming and diving claimed five straight conference championships.

Academically, UNLV graduated a record 102 student-athletes following the spring 2025 semester and posted a collective GPA of 3.0 or higher for the 16th consecutive semester.

“UNLV is a special place, and I am grateful to interim President Heavey for his confidence and support,” Harper said in a statement. “The progress we have made is the result of the work of our student-athletes, coaches, staff, donors, alumni, fans and campus partners.”

UNLV launched “Rebel Up,” the university’s first athletics-specific capital campaign, with a $150 million goal. The campaign has raised more than $41 million in cash and cash equivalents.