WASHINGTON – The Atlantic 10 Conference Presidents Council announced Wednesday that Dan Leibovitz, an innovative college basketball executive with extensive experience as a coach, has been named the sixth commissioner of the A-10. He will begin his tenure on Monday, May 4, 2026. 
 
Leibovitz, 52, is a proven leader and outstanding basketball professional who brings 30 years of coaching and leadership experience to the Atlantic 10.  A highly respected executive in the world of college athletics, he has previously served as primary basketball administrator for the Big East Conference, the Southeastern Conference and the American Conference.
 
University of Dayton President Dr. Eric F. Spina led the search committee as the Chair of the A-10 Presidents Council.  “Dan is a basketball guy through and through, with experience at every level in almost every role, and is a proven innovator,” Spina said.  “He has deep respect for what athletics can mean for student-athletes, their schools, and society, and he firmly believes that every athlete in every sport deserves a meaningful, high-quality experience.
 
“Dan is authentic, passionate and deeply committed to the A-10; the entire Presidents Council is thrilled to welcome him home,” Spina concluded.
 
Leibovitz comes to the A-10 from the Big East, where has served as Senior Associate Commissioner for Men’s Basketball since 2023.  The primary administrator for all aspects of men's basketball operations, his responsibilities included overseeing conference scheduling, policy creation and enforcement, network relations and management of the conference’s officiating program.  He was the league’s direct point of contact for athletic directors, sports administrators, and head coaches on all men’s basketball matters.
 
“With its proud tradition, national success, and more than 50 years of memorable basketball history, the Atlantic 10 stands as one of the premier conferences in college athletics. I am honored and excited for the opportunity to serve as Commissioner.  My ten years in the A-10 as an assistant coach under John Chaney at Temple gave me a deep understanding of the passion and shared vision that define the league, and I look forward to building on its tremendous foundation,” said Leibovitz. “I want to thank Commissioner Bernadette McGlade for her outstanding leadership of the Atlantic 10 over the past 18 years and congratulate her on her retirement. Her dedication and vision have positioned the conference well for the future."  
 
Prior to the Big East, Leibovitz was the Associate Commissioner for Men's Basketball for the SEC for seven years.  He led the conference on all matters, initiatives, and policies related to men’s basketball as a member of the senior leadership team.  He is credited with raising the national profile and stature of SEC men’s basketball. Leibovitz also developed and implemented the only centralized replay system in college basketball, allowing a replay official in the conference office to advise on real-time officiating outcomes.
 
He is a member of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee and a past chair of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Competition Committee.  He served as the director of the both the SEC and Big East Championships.
 
Leibovitz will replace Bernadette V. McGlade as Atlantic 10 Commissioner, who announced her retirement in November. The longest serving commissioner in A-10 history, McGlade’s 18 years of distinguished service leading the league solidified the Atlantic 10 as one of the premier basketball-centric conferences in the nation, with a sterling reputation for graduating student leaders across 23 championship sports, that compete at the highest levels.
 
"I am thrilled to welcome Dan Leibovitz to the Atlantic 10 Conference team. Dan has a fantastic background in college basketball and the skills that will elevate the A-10 as a premiere basketball-centric conference,” said Chris May, Director of Athletics at Saint Louis University and Chair of the Atlantic 10 Athletic Directors. “Commissioner McGlade's exceptional work set the foundation for the A-10 to take advantage of the changing landscape in the NCAA moving forward. Dan is the right leader at the perfect time to lead the Atlantic 10 into the next evolution of the NCAA and college sports." 
 
After a 17-year coaching career that included collegiate head coaching and NBA assistant experience, Leibovitz began his administrative career in 2014 with the then-newly formed American Conference. He was the men’s basketball head coach at Hartford for four years (2006-10). The fourth-youngest Division I coach when he was hired, Leibovitz led the Hawks to their best single-season record (18-16 overall, 10-6 America East) to that point. That 2007-08 season stands as Hartford’s second-best overall record during its Division I tenure.
 
Before taking the head coach position at Hartford, Leibovitz spent 10 years as an assistant coach (1996-2006) under Naismith Hall of Famer John Chaney at former Atlantic 10 member Temple. The Owls reached the Elite Eight twice and the NCAA Tournament five times while Leibovitz was an assistant. He also spent two years as an assistant coach at Penn and a year in the NBA as Assistant Coach for the Charlotte Hornets.
 
Leibovitz earned his bachelor’s degree from Penn, a master’s degree from Temple and a Certificate in Leadership Principles from Harvard Business School.
 
In addition to Dr. Spina, the commissioner search was conducted by Presidents Dr. Ellen Granberg (The George Washington University), Dr. Mark Reed (Loyola University Chicago), Dr. Kevin Hallock (University of Richmond), and Dr. Jeff Gingerich (St. Bonaventure University), Athletic Directors Chris Clunie (Davidson College) and Chris May (Saint Louis University), and Senior Women’s Administrator Sherene Brantley (Duquesne University). The search committee worked with consultants from Turnkey/ZRG.
 
“We are excited to welcome Commissioner Dan Leibovitz to the Atlantic 10 Conference. Dan understands wholeheartedly the legacy and identity of this conference—the vision, courage, innovation and collaborative nature necessary to strengthen the A-10 brand and to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of Collegiate Athletics,” Brantley said.  “Aligned with the Presidents, Athletic Directors, Senior Woman Administrators, Faculty Athletic Representatives, Coaches, Student-Athletes and stakeholders, I am confident that under his leadership, the A-10 is well positioned for continued national success.”


DAN LEIBOVITZ NAMED ATLANTIC 10 COMMISSIONER - WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
 
“Within the first 15 minutes of my interview with Dan, I knew he was the right choice, and he went on to play a pivotal role in the resurgence of men’s basketball in the Southeastern Conference.  Throughout his career, he has demonstrated thoughtful leadership and strong collaboration with campus and conference colleagues. Dan is the right leader at the right time for the A-10 because he possesses a clear vision for how college athletics can continue to thrive in a changing landscape. I congratulate the Atlantic 10 on this outstanding choice and look forward to partnering with Dan as he guides the conference into a new era.” "Dan Leibovitz is an outstanding choice as the new commissioner for the Atlantic 10 Conference.  I continue to be impressed with Dan's sound judgement and perspective when dealing with the rapidly changing industry of college athletics. His background in both administration and coaching provides a solid foundation to understand the many challenges faced on campuses and in the conference office. Dan is a proven leader, and I believe he will serve the A10 membership well in all regards." "Dan's familiarity with conference operations and his deep understanding of the men's college basketball landscape will serve him and the Atlantic 10 well as he assumes his new role.  We're grateful for his many valuable contributions to the BIG EAST over the past three years and wish him the best of luck with this exciting opportunity.” “I congratulate Dan on the opportunity to lead the Atlantic 10 Conference.  As a premiere basketball-centric Division I conference, the future is bright and Dan will lead with strength.  The A-10 membership are outstanding institutions, and it has been a privilege to serve over the last 18 years.” “Dan Leibovitz is an inspired choice to lead the Atlantic 10 into the future. Dan has spent his entire adult life immersed in the game, and knows the industry from the hardwood to the locker room to the boardroom. He is smart, collaborative and competitive, and has his fingers on the pulse of the industry.  The A-10 is in great hands with Dan Leibovitz.”