{{Short description|American college athletics director (born 1973)}} {{Infobox college coach | name = Jeff Konya | image = | caption = | alt = | current_title = Athletic director | current_team = San Jose State | current_conference = MW | contract = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1973|2|17}} | birth_place = Royal Oak, Michigan, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | alma_mater = Princeton University (BA)<br>University of Iowa (JD) | player_years1 = 1992 | player_team1 = Princeton | player_positions = Defensive lineman, center | admin_years1 = 1999–2000 | admin_team1 = South Dakota ({{abbr|Dir.|Director}} of compliance & student services/ticket & gameday manager) | admin_years2 = 2000–2003 | admin_team2 = Bucknell ({{abbr|asst.|assistant}} AD for compliance & student affairs) | admin_years3 = 2003–2005 | admin_team3 = UTSA ({{abbr|assoc.|Associate}} AD/asst. AD) | admin_years4 = 2005–2006 | admin_team4 = Memphis (asst. AD) | admin_years5 = 2006–2009 | admin_team5 = SMU (assoc. AD) | admin_years6 = 2009–2010 | admin_team6 = Northeastern State | admin_years7 = 2010–2014 | admin_team7 = Cal State Bakersfield | admin_years8 = 2014–2018 | admin_team8 = Oakland | admin_years9 = 2018–2021 | admin_team9 = Northeastern | admin_years10 = 2021–present | admin_team10 = San Jose State | awards = 2x {{awards|award=NACDA Athletics Director of The Year|year=2016–17|year2=2020–21}} }} '''Jeffrey Frank Konya''' (born February 17, 1973)<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=2014-07-25 |title=AD PROFILE: JEFF KONYA |url=https://goldengrizzlies.com/news/2014/7/25/AD_PROFILE_JEFF_KONYA |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20251230233041/https://goldengrizzlies.com/news/2014/7/25/AD_PROFILE_JEFF_KONYA |archive-date=December 30, 2025 |access-date=2025-12-08 |website=Oakland University Athletics |language=en |publication-place=Rochester Hills, Michigan, U.S.}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date=July 7, 2014 |title=Oakland Names Jeff Konya as Director of Athletics |url=https://horizonleague.org/news/2014/7/7/ALL_0707144058104.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20251230233814/https://horizonleague.org/news/2014/7/7/ALL_0707144058104.aspx |archive-date=December 30, 2025 |access-date=2025-12-08 |website=Horizon League |language=en |publication-place=Indianapolis}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=October 10, 2000 |title=Accidents |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image-view/1212926460/ |work=The Globe |page=A2 |language=en |publication-place=Jackson, Minnesota, U.S. |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> is an American college athletics administrator. He is currently the athletic director (AD) at San Jose State University since 2021.
==Early life, playing career, and education== Konya was born and raised in Royal Oak, Michigan to parents Chuck and Edie Konya.<ref name=":5" /> Konya grew up in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Pang |first=Andrew |date=July 30, 2022 |title=How Jeff Konya found his way to San Jose |url=https://247sports.com/college/san-jose-state/article/how-jeff-konya-found-way-san-jose-state-spartans-190745111/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811075330/https://247sports.com/college/san-jose-state/Article/How-Jeff-Konya-found-way-San-Jose-State-Spartans-190745111/ |archive-date=August 11, 2022 |work=247Sports |language=en}}</ref> At age 8 or 9, Konya moved to Pittsford, New York<ref name=":7">{{Cite news |last=Snyder |first=Mark |date=July 8, 2014 |title=New AD Konya wants to expand OU's reach |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image-view/105065745/ |work=Detroit Free Press |location=Detroit |page=4B |language=en |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> where he later attended Pittsford Mendon High School and played on the high school's football team as a cornerback, linebacker<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 9, 1990 |title=Pittsford |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/137388392/ |work=Democrat and Chronicle |location=Rochester, New York, U.S. |page=10E |language=en |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and offensive lineman. Konya graduated from Pittsford Mendon High in 1991 and committed to play at Princeton University as a defensive lineman and center.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite news |title=Konya, Bacon select colleges |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/137550274/ |work=Democrat and Chronicle |location=Rochester, New York, U.S. |page=6D |language=en |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
Konya quit after one season due to injuries, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Princeton as late as 1995. Konya then attended the University of Iowa College of Law, and obtained his Juris Doctor in 1998.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Smurthwaite |first=KC |date=July 23, 2025 |title=Their Human: Jeff Konya In The Chair |url=https://herosports.com/fbs-jeff-konya-in-the-chair-ksks/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250728175911/https://herosports.com/fbs-jeff-konya-in-the-chair-ksks/ |archive-date=July 28, 2025 |work=HERO Sports |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 30, 2022 |title=Jeff Konya (98JD) reflects on his first year as San Jose State's Athletic Director {{!}} College of Law - The University of Iowa |url=https://law.uiowa.edu/news/2022/07/jeff-konya-98jd-reflects-his-first-year-san-jose-states-athletic-director |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20251230232250/https://law.uiowa.edu/news/2022/07/jeff-konya-98jd-reflects-his-first-year-san-jose-states-athletic-director |archive-date=December 30, 2025 |access-date=2025-12-30 |website=University of Iowa College of Law |language=en}}</ref>
==Career== ===Early years (1999–2008)=== In 1999, Konya's became the Director of Compliance and Student Services and Ticket and Gameday Manager at University of South Dakota. In 2000, Konya took the equivalent job at Bucknell University.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 23, 2000 |title=Bucknell names compliance officer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image-view/484134289/ |work=The Daily Item |page=C2 |language=en |publication-place=Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S. |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
Konya then served as an associate AD for University of Texas at San Antonio from 2003 to 2005, University of Memphis from 2005 to 2006, and Southern Methodist University from 2006 to 2009.
===Northeastern State (2009–2010)=== In 2009, Konya got his first AD job at Northeastern State University.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hibdon |first=Glenn |date=January 13, 2009 |title=NSU hires Konya as athletic director |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image-view/892793416/ |work=Tulsa World |page=B6 |language=en |publication-place=Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, U.S. |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Konya oversaw the university's mascot change from "Redmen" to, what is today, "RedHawks" and the university's move from the Lone Star Conference (LSC) to the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) in his second, and final, year.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tramel |first=Jimmie |date=July 4, 2009 |title=NSU Softball Grad Recalls Mascot |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image-view/892819653/ |work=Tulsa World |page=B1, B6 |language=en |publication-place=Edmond, Oklahoma, U.S. |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=July 30, 2010 |title=NSU changes conference |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image-view/910807816/ |work=Tulsa World |page=B2 |language=en |publication-place=Tahlequah, Oklahoma, U.S. |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
===Cal State Bakersfield (2010–2014)=== In 2010, Konya became the AD at California State University, Bakersfield. During his final year, he increased funding for athletic scholarships and overall fundraising<ref name=":7" /> and got Cal State Bakersfield into the Western Athletic Conference.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sanchez |first=Nate |date=July 7, 2014 |editor-last=Bennett |editor-first=Josh |title=Jeff Konya resigns |url=https://therunneronline.com/4205/sports/jeff-konya-resigns/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20251230231425/https://therunneronline.com/4205/sports/jeff-konya-resigns/ |archive-date=December 30, 2025 |work=The Runner |location=Bakersfield, California, U.S.}}</ref>
===Oakland (2014–2018)=== In 2014, Konya became the AD at Oakland University to replace outgoing Tracy Huth.<ref name=":7" /> Konya, in conjunction with Oakland Golden Grizzlies men's basketball's long-time head coach Greg Kampe, oversaw the installation of OU Credit Union O'rena's blacktop-themed court.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pemberton |first=Dave |date=April 26, 2015 |title=Oakland unveils new 'blacktop' basketball court |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image-view/109197635/ |work=Lansing State Journal |page=23A |language=en |publication-place=Rochester Hills, Michigan, U.S. |via=Newspapers.com |agency=Associated Press}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=April 17, 2015 |title=OU's 'blacktop' court completed |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image-view/103155166/ |work=Detroit Free Press |location=Detroit |page=5B |language=en |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Paul |first=Tony |date=January 9, 2018 |title=Oakland AD Jeff Konya leaving for Northeastern |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/2018/01/09/source-oakland-ad-jeff-konya-leaving-northeastern/109305812/ |access-date=2025-12-09 |website=The Detroit News |language=en-US |publication-place=Detroit}}</ref>
On February 22, 2016, Konya received a 1-game suspension by the Horizon League for "violating the conference's sportsmanship policy for vocally disagree[ing] with some calls during the first half" in the men's basketball team's loss against Valparaiso.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 22, 2016 |title=Horizon bans OU AD |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image-view/156608986/ |work=Detroit Free Press |location=Detroit |page=1B |language=en |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Konya was responsible for granting Kampe an extension through the 2019–20 season in April 2016 after the program's Vegas 16 appearance.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Snyder |first=Mark |date=April 12, 2016 |title=Kampe gets deal through 2019-20 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image-view/175642235/ |work=Detroit Free Press |location=Detroit |page=6B |language=en |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In mid-2016, Konya was also responsible for the athletic department's partnership with WMYD to broadcast the men's basketball home games for the first time in program history,<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 11, 2016 |title=Basketball |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/242057864/ |work=Detroit Free Press |location=Detroit |page=3B |language=en |via=Newspapers.com |quote=All Oakland University men's home games will appear on television this season for the first time in program history, OU athletic director Jeff Konya announced.}}</ref> and brought in two head coaches for its baseball program for the first time in college baseball history.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Paul |first=Tony |date=July 13, 2016 |title=Youth, career arcs made Kaline, Healey a fit for OU baseball |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/2016/07/13/youth-career-arcs-made-kaline-healey-fit-ou-baseball/87050572/ |access-date=2025-12-09 |website=The Detroit News |language=en-US |publication-place=Detroit}}</ref>
In March 2017, Konya was amongst 28 athletic directors to be awarded Athletics director of the year by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA).<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 3, 2017 |title=Athletics |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image-view/275558445 |work=Detroit Free Press |location=Detroit |page=7B |language=en |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In May 2017, Konya merged the university's dance and cheerleading teams into the Oakland Spirit Squad.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 6, 2017 |title=Oakland Forms New Spirit Squad |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image-view/1116022632/ |work=Grand Haven Tribune |location=Grand Haven, Michigan, U.S. |page=10 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In June 2017, Konya signed a 5-year extension to stay as the university's athletic director.<ref>{{Cite news |last=LaDuke |first=Katie |date=August 1, 2017 |title=Konya gets contract extended into 2022 |url=https://oaklandpostonline.com/17234/sports/konya-gets-contract-extended-into-2022/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250426180504/https://oaklandpostonline.com/17234/sports/konya-gets-contract-extended-into-2022/ |archive-date=2025-04-26 |access-date=2025-12-09 |work=The Oakland Post |location=Rochester Hills, Michigan, U.S. |language=en-US |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-06-27 |title=Oakland gives AD Jeff Konya a new 5-year deal |url=https://www.theoaklandpress.com/2017/06/27/oakland-gives-ad-jeff-konya-a-new-5-year-deal/ |access-date=2025-12-09 |website=The Oakland Press |language=en-US |publication-place=Rochester Hills, Michigan, U.S.}}</ref> In July 2017, Konya hired Lauren Karn to lead the university's softball program.<ref>{{Cite news |title=More Colleges |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image-view/313538875/ |work=Detroit Free Press |location=Detroit |page=B3 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
===Northeastern (2018–2021)=== In January 2018, Konya became the AD at Northeastern University to replace outgoing Peter Roby.<ref name=":0" /> Under his administration, Konya was responsible for the university's partnership with NESN to broadcast up to 75 field hockey, men's and women's ice hockey, and baseball games.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ainsworth |first=Chip |date=July 6, 2018 |title=Keeping Score: Back in the saddle at Suffolk |url=https://recorder.com/2018/07/06/keeping-score-18676251/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20251229230248/https://recorder.com/2018/07/06/keeping-score-18676251/ |archive-date=December 29, 2025 |work=Greenfield Recorder |location=Greenfield, Massachusetts, U.S. |language=en |quote=NESN and Northeastern are partnering to broadcast up to 75 Huskies’ games in 2018-19, from field hockey to ice hockey and baseball. “Content is the new currency in intercollegiate athletics,” said Northeastern AD Jeff Konya.}}</ref> In April 2020, Northeastern elevated its Esports club to the varsity level: making the university to become the first university in New England to sponsor Esports.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Levinsky |first=Greg |date=April 18, 2020 |title=Northeastern goes varsity in esports |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/656697085/?match=1&terms=%22jeff%20konya%22%20OR%20%22jeffrey%20konya%22 |work=The Boston Globe |location=Boston |page=C4 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In March 2021, Konya was awarded NACDA AD of the year.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-12-06 |title=Konya Named Division I-AAA NACDA AD of the Year |url=https://nuhuskies.com/news/2021/3/10/athletics-konya-named-division-i-aaa-nacda-ad-of-the-year.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313025610/https://nuhuskies.com/news/2021/3/10/athletics-konya-named-division-i-aaa-nacda-ad-of-the-year.aspx |archive-date=March 13, 2021 |access-date=2025-12-30 |website=Northeastern University Athletics |language=en |publication-place=Cleveland}}</ref>
===San Jose State (2021–present)=== In June 2021, Konya became the AD at San Jose State University.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Auerbach |first=Nicole |last2=Staff |first2=The Athletic |date=2021-06-13 |title=San Jose State to hire Jeff Konya as new AD: Source |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4209939/2021/06/12/san-jose-state-to-hire-jeff-konya-as-new-ad-source/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241116233830/https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4209939/2021/06/12/san-jose-state-to-hire-jeff-konya-as-new-ad-source/ |archive-date=November 16, 2024 |access-date=2025-11-17 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Schultz |first=Jon |date=2021-06-14 |title=San Jose State's new AD promises to bring 'open and transparent' culture |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/college/article/San-Jose-State-names-Jeff-Konya-to-succeed-Marie-16243745.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205210529/https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/college/article/San-Jose-State-names-Jeff-Konya-to-succeed-Marie-16243745.php |archive-date=2022-12-05 |access-date=2025-11-17 |work=San Francisco Chronicle |location=San Francisco |language=en-US |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Personal life== Konya is a second generation Hungarian American.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 25, 2000 |title=Temesy, Eugene |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image-view/328224563/ |work=Tampa Bay Times |location=St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S. |page=7B |language=en |via=Newspapers.com |quote=Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Ilona; a son, Chuck Konya, Webster, N.Y.; two grandchildren, Jeffrey Konya, Vermillion, S.D., and Melinda Konya, East Lansing, Mich.}}</ref> Konya is a fan of Liverpool F.C.<ref name=":3" />
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [https://sjsuspartans.com/staff/jeff-konya San Jose profile]
{{Northeastern Huskies athletic director navbox}} {{San Jose State Spartans athletic director navbox}} {{Mountain West Conference athletic director navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Konya, Jeff}} Category:1973 births Category:Living people Category:American football centers Category:American football defensive linemen Category:Bucknell University people Category:Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners athletic directors Category:University of Memphis people Category:Northeastern Huskies athletic directors Category:Northeastern State RiverHawks athletic directors Category:Oakland Golden Grizzlies athletic directors Category:Princeton Tigers football players Category:San Jose State Spartans athletic directors Category:University of South Dakota people Category:University of Texas at San Antonio people Category:University of Iowa College of Law alumni Category:People from Pittsford, New York Category:Sportspeople from Monroe County, New York Category:Sportspeople from West Bloomfield, Michigan Category:Players of American football from Oakland County, Michigan Category:Players of American football from New York (state) Category:American people of Hungarian descent