Ep. 22 | A Conversation with Houston AD Eddie Nuñez

This month, Ryan Bradley sits down with Eddie Nunez, Director of Athletics at the University of Houston, for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, growth, and navigating a new era in college athletics. Eddie shares his career journey from student-athlete to coach to administrator, including the lessons he learned at LSU and New Mexico that helped prepare him for the opportunity at Houston. He talks about what drew him to the role, the potential he sees in the University of Houston, and why competing in the Big 12 is both a challenge and a tremendous opportunity. The conversation also takes a deeper look at the evolving role of the athletic director. Eddie discusses what it means to lead like a CEO, build relationships across a major city, grow revenue in a changing financial landscape, and keep an athletic department aligned during a time of constant uncertainty. You’ll also hear Eddie’s perspective on the importance of culture, consistency, and community support, along with what he has learned from working alongside leaders like Kelvin Sampson and Willie Fritz. And as a longtime supporter of CALS, Eddie shares why professional development, genuine relationships, and learning from others remain so important for the next generation of college athletics leaders. It’s an honest and insightful conversation about building something the right way, embracing change, and leading with both urgency and perspective.