I had the opportunity to speak with West Virginia University Athletic Director Wren Baker during the WVU Coaches Caravan stop in Pittsburgh, and I left the conversation more impressed than ever. In a time when college athletics is changing faster than anyone could have imagined, WVU appears to have the right person leading the ship.
When Baker arrived in Morgantown, he inherited one of the most challenging jobs in college sports. The transfer portal, NIL, conference realignment, and increased financial demands have completely changed the landscape. Athletic directors can no longer operate the way they did 10 or 20 years ago. The old playbook no longer works.
What has stood out about Baker is his ability to adapt to the modern era while still understanding what makes West Virginia special. The results are already speaking for themselves.
Since arriving at WVU, Baker has overseen several coaching hires that have generated excitement and early success. The baseball program is thriving. The women’s basketball program has positioned itself for the future. The men’s basketball program has renewed energy and optimism. Perhaps most notably, Baker made the decision to bring Rich Rodriguez back to Morgantown, reconnecting the football program with one of the most successful eras in school history. That takes vision.
Too often, athletic departments become trapped by politics, personal agendas, or outdated thinking. The impression I got from talking to Baker is that his agenda is simple: he wants West Virginia University to compete at the highest level possible.
What also stood out was how genuine he is. Anyone who has spent time around college athletics knows that many administrators can sound like politicians. Every answer feels rehearsed. Every conversation feels guarded.
Talking with Baker didn’t feel like that at all. He was approachable, honest, and down to earth. The conversation felt natural. It felt like talking sports with someone who genuinely loves college athletics rather than someone simply managing a brand.
And yes, I had to tell him he probably has more swag than any athletic director in the country. If you’ve ever seen him at an event, you know exactly what I’m talking about. The Jordan collection is strong, the WVU gear is always on point, and he carries himself with confidence without trying too hard.
More importantly, he understands the culture of West Virginia. Although he’s originally from Oklahoma, you can tell Morgantown has become home. I asked him directly about the speculation that he could eventually leave for a larger SEC opportunity. His answer left little doubt that he genuinely loves West Virginia and what he’s building here.
Of course, nobody can predict the future. College athletics is unpredictable. But after speaking with him, I came away believing that Baker isn’t focused on the next job. He’s focused on this one. For WVU fans, that’s encouraging.
The reality is that athletic directors often don’t receive much attention when things are going well. Fans focus on coaches, players, and wins. But the direction of an athletic department starts at the top.
The coaches you hire matter.
The culture you create matters.
The vision you establish matters.
Right now, Wren Baker appears to have all three.
And if the early returns are any indication, he may just be getting started. For the first time in a long time, it feels like West Virginia athletics has a clear vision for where it’s headed. That’s why I believe WVU hit a home run when it hired Wren Baker.