Syracuse Athletics: new administrators set to join Orange per reports

Yahoo Sports11h ago2 min readOriginal source →

TL;DR

Syracuse Athletics is adding new senior staff members, including Nicole Harris from Toledo, Yulander Wells from Notre Dame, and Charles Small from Washington. These hires aim to reshape the leadership team under Athletic Director Bryan B. Blair.

Key points

Syracuse Athletics is hiring new senior staff members.
Nicole Harris will join as a key administrator.
Yulander Wells will serve as Chief Operating Officer.
Charles Small will oversee men's basketball as Deputy AD.
These hires aim to bring new ideas and experience.

Mentioned in this story

Syracuse AthleticsToledoNotre DameWashingtonBryan B. BlairNicole HarrisYulander WellsCharles Small

Syracuse Orange Athletic Director Bryan B. Blair takes photos with Otto the Orange during his introduction on Thursday, March 19, 2026 at Miron Victory Court in Syracuse, New York. | Photo by Christian De Guzman | Nunes Magician As he prepares for his first season in Syracuse, Bryan Blair is reshaping his leadershup team and we have three reports of senior staff joining the Orange. CollegeAD reported that Toledo Deputy AD/COO/SWA Nicole Harris is expected to join Blair in Syracuse. Harris has been with Toledo since 2023 and was listed as instrumental in the launch of Toledo’s strategic plan, Rise Together, as well as the addition of women’s rowing and name-image-likeness initiatives for the Rockets. USA Today reported that Notre Dame Deputy AD Yulander Wells will be hired as Chief Operating Officer. Wells was overseeing men’s basketball and business strategy at Notre Dame, including the Irish’s apparel deal with Under Armour.

NEWS: Syracuse is hiring Notre Dame @FightingIrish deputy AD Yulander Wells into its COO/Football Oversight position, @usatodaysports has learned. Significant add for the Orange:

— John Brice (@JohnDBrice1) May 7, 2026 ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that Blair would hire Charles Small to be the new Deputy AD with oversight of men’s basketball. Small also served as Athletic Director at Valparaiso. Source: Syracuse is hiring Charles Small from Washington as the school’s new Deputy AD/Chief Strategy Officer. He comes from Washington and will be Syracuse men’s basketball sport administrator, a job he did at Iowa State under TJ Otzelberger and at Washington. pic.twitter.com/f5x9iSSXU8

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) May 7, 2026 We’ll see what changes come about in Blair’s first year at Syracuse but he’s making some staff additions that bring some new ideas and experience to the Orange.

Q&A

Who are the new administrators joining Syracuse Athletics?

The new administrators include Nicole Harris from Toledo, Yulander Wells from Notre Dame, and Charles Small from Washington.

What roles will Yulander Wells and Charles Small have at Syracuse?

Yulander Wells will serve as Chief Operating Officer, while Charles Small will be the Deputy AD with oversight of men's basketball.

What experience do the new Syracuse Athletics hires bring?

Nicole Harris has experience in strategic planning and women's rowing initiatives, Yulander Wells oversaw men's basketball and business strategy at Notre Dame, and Charles Small was an Athletic Director at Valparaiso.