Rio Grande names Bias new Athletic Director

Rio Grande Sports Information
     RIO GRANDE, Ohio - The University of Rio Grande has named Brandon Bias as the school's new athletic director.
     Bias, who also was named the school's women's basketball head coach following the retirement of David Smalley at the close of the 2025-26 season, replaces Jeff Lanham in the athletic department's top position.
     Lanham, like Smalley, retired at the end of the 2025-26 school year.
     "Brandon brings strong leadership and a clear commitment to advancing our athletics programs and supporting student-athlete success," said Ryan Smith, President of the University of Rio Grande/Rio Grande Community College. "Under his direction, Athletics is implementing a new leadership structure that includes three Assistant Athletic Directors with aligned oversight of sports programs and key operational areas. This approach is designed to strengthen support, improve coordination, and position RedStorm Athletics for continued growth."
     Bias' primary sports of focus include football, men's and women's track & field/cross country, archery, women's volleyball and men's soccer.
     In addition to overseeing department budgets, his duties also will focus on Student-Athlete conduct.
     "First and foremost, it's tremendous honor to have been named the Director of Athletics here at Rio," said Bias, a native of Hewett, W.Va. "I look forward to carrying out President Smith's vision for what we can become together."
     Also involved in the structure change are Men's and Women's Golf head coach Lauren Lee, Women's Soccer head coach Brooke Perkins and Athletic Department secretary Justyce Marcum, all of whom will assume assistant AD roles.
     Lee's assigned sports of focus include men's and women's basketball, men's and women's bowling and men's and women's wrestling.
     She will also oversee athletic facilities and grounds, Student-Athlete well-being and transportation coordination.
     Perkins' assigned sports include baseball, softball, bass fishing and men's volleyball.
     She will also oversee housing, dining and admission services for the department.
     Marcum, whose title will become Assistant Athletc Director for Business Operations and Finance, will focus on department budgets and its work-study program.
     Her specific sports include women's soccer, men's and women's golf, cheer, dance, rugby and eSports.
     "This new structure is designed to provide focused leadership across all of programs and departments," Bias said. "I believe this will position us for long-term success and allow each area of our program to receive the dedicated attention it deserves."