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| Pat Kraft | |
|---|---|
| Name | Pat Kraft |
| Occupation | Athletic administrator; former coach; player |
| Known for | Athletic administration; college football coaching |
Pat Kraft is an American athletic administrator and former college football coach and player. He has held leadership roles in collegiate athletics, overseeing programs at multiple institutions and serving in senior positions within athletic departments. Kraft's career spans playing, coaching, and executive responsibilities across several conferences and universities.
Kraft was raised in the United States and attended high school where he participated in American football and other sports programs. He matriculated at a university with a competitive football program, earning a bachelor's degree while playing as a collegiate athlete. Kraft later pursued graduate studies, obtaining a master's degree related to sports administration, working with faculty and staff at his institution's athletic department. During this period he interacted with coaches and administrators from institutions such as Boston College, Syracuse University, University of Michigan, and Ohio State University through clinics and regional conferences.
As a student-athlete, Kraft played as a collegiate quarterback and contributed to his team's offensive schemes under the direction of position coaches and coordinators. He competed against programs like Penn State University, University of Pittsburgh, Rutgers University, and Temple University in conference and nonconference matchups. His on-field experience included preparation for games at venues comparable to Beaver Stadium, Heinz Field, Lincoln Financial Field, and Alumni Stadium. Teammates and opponents included players who later joined professional leagues such as the National Football League and the Canadian Football League.
After completing his playing career, Kraft moved into coaching, beginning as a graduate assistant and position coach working with wide receivers, quarterbacks, and special teams units. He served on staffs that included coordinators from programs like University of Wisconsin–Madison, University of Notre Dame, Penn State University, and Clemson University. Kraft's coaching stops involved recruiting efforts in regions that produced prospects for Big Ten Conference, Atlantic Coast Conference, Southeastern Conference, and Big 12 Conference teams. He participated in bowl game preparations and postseason appearances similar to the Orange Bowl, Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, and Gator Bowl, contributing to game planning, player development, and scouting.
Kraft transitioned into athletic administration, taking roles such as assistant athletic director and senior associate athletic director at institutions with profiles like Boston College, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, University of Cincinnati, and University of Minnesota. In those capacities he oversaw areas including compliance with National Collegiate Athletic Association standards, facilities planning involving venues akin to Camp Randall Stadium and Memorial Stadium, and fundraising in collaboration with athletic foundations and donor networks. Kraft worked on conference alignment issues involving leagues such as the Big Ten Conference, American Athletic Conference, and the Atlantic Coast Conference, and engaged with television partners comparable to ESPN, FOX Sports, and CBS Sports Network on media rights and broadcast agreements. His executive duties encompassed hiring head coaches, negotiating contracts with agents and advisors, and implementing student-athlete welfare programs aligned with policies from the NCAA Division I Board of Directors.
Kraft's personal life includes family ties and community involvement, with participation in alumni activities at his alma mater and service on boards related to collegiate athletics and youth sports organizations. Colleagues and peers from institutions like Boston College, Syracuse University, University of Maryland, and Indiana University Bloomington have noted his contributions to program development, mentorship of coaches, and commitment to student-athlete success. His legacy in athletic administration is reflected in improved facilities, competitive schedules against schools such as University of Notre Dame and Penn State University, and initiatives promoting compliance and athlete well-being within the collegiate athletics landscape.
Category:American athletic directors