The search for a new athletic director at UT Permian Basin cast a wide net and found multiple quality candidates, evidenced by the recently reported six finalists for the position. However, according to sources, one candidate stood above the crowd, and the Falcons have named Scott Larson to helm the athletics department.

Known for his role in building Lubbock Christian into a strong athletic program, Larson left the Chaps in August 2023 to serve as director of athletics at Black Hills State. Unfortunately, after six months, Larson resigned from BHSU due to family and personal reasons, choosing to return to his family in Lubbock. Since then, he has been working as an intercollegiate athletic consultant for Strategic Edge Athletic Counseling.

Before his three-year tenure as director of athletics at LCU, Larson served seven years as deputy director of athletics for the Chaps before spending nearly one year as interim director of athletics. From 2015 until he departed LCU, the Chaps won three NCAA Division II national championships in women’s basketball and made 21 South Central Regional appearances. The department finished 70th in the 2022-2023 Learfield Director’s Cup, the highest finish in department history.

Larson steps into the role of UTPB's athletic director at a time of unprecedented success. The 2023-2024 academic year saw the Falcons' football and men’s tennis program clinch the LSC title for the first time in program history. Additionally, seven programs made appearances in the DII playoffs, with the men’s tennis program reaching the Sweet 16.

Former UTPB director of athletics Todd Dooley resigned in May to pursue opportunities outside collegiate athletics after leading the department for four years. Former UTPB athletic director Scott Farmer was interim athletic director during the search.