Who is Martin Jarmond?
Martin Jarmond is a veteran college athletics administrator who became UCLA’s ninth athletic director in July 2020.
Before arriving in Westwood, Jarmond served as athletic director at Boston College. Earlier in his career, he worked at Ohio State and Michigan State.
Jarmond is a native of Fayetteville, North Carolina. He attended the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where he was a two-time captain of the basketball team and helped the Seahawks reach the NCAA tournament.
He later earned an MBA and a master’s degree in sports administration from Ohio University.
UCLA originally hired Jarmond in 2020 to replace longtime athletic director Dan Guerrero. His initial six-year agreement included guaranteed compensation of $1.03 million, a $339,900 signing bonus and average annual compensation of approximately $1.4 million over the contract term, plus incentives.
Martin Jarmond UCLA career
Jarmond took over UCLA Athletics during a period of major disruption in college sports.
The NCAA was entering the NIL era, conference realignment was accelerating and athletic departments were facing growing financial pressures.
One of Jarmond’s most important achievements was helping UCLA transition from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten.
UCLA officially joined the Big Ten for the 2024-25 athletic year alongside USC, Oregon and Washington. The move dramatically changed the financial and competitive landscape for both Los Angeles schools.
During Jarmond’s tenure, UCLA also secured new commercial partnerships, including an apparel relationship involving Nike and Jordan Brand. UCLA said that since his appointment, the Bruins had captured five NCAA championships and 18 conference titles by the time his contract extension was announced in November 2024.
By the end of his tenure, UCLA teams had won nine NCAA championships during his time as athletic director, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Martin Jarmond salary
Martin Jarmond’s UCLA salary changed significantly during his time with the university.
When he was hired in 2020, his guaranteed compensation was $1.03 million, with additional compensation and incentives.
His later contract extension was substantially more valuable.
According to contract details reported by the Los Angeles Times in December 2024, Jarmond’s five-year extension ran through June 30, 2029. His scheduled annual salary increased from $1.55 million in Year 1 to $2.1 million in Year 5.
The reported annual base salary schedule was:
- Year 1: $1.55 million
- Year 2: $1.6 million
- Year 3: $1.8 million
- Year 4: $2 million
- Year 5: $2.1 million
Jarmond could also receive additional money through retention bonuses and performance incentives.
The contract included a $511,500 signing bonus and yearly retention bonuses of $300,000, along with various incentives connected to academic performance, the Directors’ Cup, financial goals and overall accomplishments.
It is important to distinguish base salary from total compensation. Jarmond’s overall compensation could be considerably higher than his listed annual salary because of bonuses, incentives and other benefits.
What happened to Martin Jarmond in 2026?
On August 31, 2026, UCLA announced that Jarmond had been removed as athletic director.
Chancellor Julio Frenk described the decision as part of a “new path forward” for UCLA Athletics and pointed to the department’s financial situation and the rapidly changing college sports environment.
The Los Angeles Times reported that Jarmond’s departure came with approximately $5.9 million remaining on his recently extended contract, although it was not immediately clear how much of that amount he would ultimately receive.
The Daily Bruin reported a remaining contract value of approximately $6.5 million, illustrating why the final financial terms may depend on the interpretation and settlement of the agreement.
Therefore, it is safer to say that several million dollars remained on Jarmond’s contract when UCLA removed him, rather than claim that he has definitely been paid the entire amount.
Why did UCLA fire Martin Jarmond?
The decision came against the backdrop of UCLA Athletics’ financial challenges.
According to the Daily Bruin, UCLA Athletics had recorded deficits for seven consecutive fiscal years during Jarmond’s tenure, with the university covering approximately $241.1 million in cumulative shortfalls.
The deficit had improved after UCLA entered the Big Ten. However, the athletics department continued to face major expenses associated with operating a large program across multiple sports.
Frenk also pointed to the changing economics of college athletics, including NIL and new models of student-athlete compensation.
Jarmond’s record was therefore complicated. He oversaw historic conference realignment and significant championship success, but UCLA also faced financial pressure and criticism surrounding football and revenue generation.
Martin Jarmond and USC
A common search involving Jarmond is “Martin Jarmond USC.”
The reason is straightforward: UCLA and USC are crosstown rivals, and both universities moved from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten.
However, Martin Jarmond was not USC’s athletic director.
Jarmond led UCLA Athletics. USC had its own athletic department leadership, with Jennifer Cohen serving as USC’s athletic director.
The two programs became even more closely connected after joining the Big Ten. Their move helped accelerate the transformation of college athletics on the West Coast.
Jarmond’s role in UCLA’s Big Ten transition was one of the defining elements of his administration. UCLA itself credited his push for the conference move with broadening the university’s national footprint and strengthening the future of its athletic program.
Martin Jarmond wife
Martin Jarmond is married to Dr. Jessica Jarmond, who is a dentist.
Boston College identified Jessica Jarmond as his wife when it announced Martin Jarmond as its new athletic director in 2017. The announcement also mentioned their daughter at the time.
Because family information can become outdated, particularly details published years ago, current information about Jarmond’s family should be treated carefully.
There is no need to assume that older reports provide a complete picture of his family today.
Martin Jarmond contract
Jarmond’s original UCLA contract was a six-year agreement beginning in 2020.
UCLA later extended the deal through June 30, 2029. The extension was finalized in 2024 and replaced the agreement that had originally been scheduled to expire in 2026.
The extension was significant because UCLA committed to keeping Jarmond in charge during the early years of the Big Ten era.
The agreement included:
- A salary rising to $2.1 million annually
- A $511,500 signing bonus
- $300,000 annual retention bonuses
- Performance incentives
- A vehicle allowance
- Athletic apparel
- Access to UCLA sporting-event tickets and facilities
- Other contractual benefits
The contract also contained termination and buyout provisions. The Los Angeles Times reported in 2024 that Jarmond would be owed the remaining value of his contract if terminated without cause, subject to offsets from future employment.
Because UCLA terminated him before the scheduled 2029 expiration, the final amount owed is an important unresolved financial question.
What does Reddit say about Martin Jarmond?
Reddit discussions about Jarmond have been highly critical, particularly among UCLA fans.
Following news of his removal, discussions on UCLA-related subreddits focused heavily on the athletic department’s financial problems, football results, donor relations and conference realignment.
Some Reddit users praised the decision, while others noted that UCLA teams had enjoyed considerable success in sports outside football.
Reddit should be viewed as a source of fan sentiment rather than an authoritative source for contractual or financial facts. The most reliable information about Jarmond’s employment comes from UCLA and established news organizations.
Martin Jarmond’s biggest accomplishments at UCLA
Jarmond’s six-year tenure cannot be judged solely by football.
Some of the major developments during his administration included:
Big Ten move
The move from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten was arguably Jarmond’s most consequential decision.
It changed UCLA’s national conference affiliation and significantly increased its media-rights opportunities.
NCAA championships
UCLA won multiple NCAA championships during Jarmond’s tenure, including championships across several sports.
The Bruins’ women’s basketball national championship in 2026 was particularly historic because it represented the program’s first NCAA title in that sport.
Commercial partnerships
Jarmond helped UCLA navigate changes in its apparel and multimedia partnerships.
The university highlighted its Nike and Jordan Brand relationship and a new multimedia-rights partnership as examples of commercial growth during his administration.
NIL era
Jarmond also guided UCLA into the rapidly evolving NIL environment.
That transition ultimately became one of the major issues surrounding his final years as athletic director, as the economics of college sports changed dramatically.
Martin Jarmond’s football record
Football was arguably the most controversial part of Jarmond’s tenure.
UCLA struggled to establish consistent success during his administration. Jarmond retained Chip Kelly despite growing criticism before Kelly eventually left for Ohio State.
Jarmond subsequently hired DeShaun Foster, who struggled to turn the program around and was eventually dismissed.
The Bruins then hired Bob Chesney, who arrived from James Madison with the goal of rebuilding UCLA football.
Jarmond was removed before Chesney could begin his first season at UCLA, meaning his final football hire will be judged separately from the results of his administration.
Who replaced Martin Jarmond?
Former Los Angeles Lakers executive Tim Harris replaced Jarmond.
Harris spent more than 35 years with the Lakers and has extensive experience in sports business and organizational operations.
UCLA announced that Harris would serve as CEO and athletic director on a pro bono basis. Chancellor Frenk said Harris would work on a strategy involving revenue growth, partnerships, licensing and other business opportunities.
Harris is also a UCLA alumnus and former student-athlete, having played goalkeeper for the Bruins’ men’s soccer team.
Final thoughts on Martin Jarmond
Martin Jarmond’s UCLA tenure was defined by both major achievements and significant challenges.
He helped take the Bruins into the Big Ten, oversaw numerous NCAA championships and guided UCLA through one of the most disruptive periods in college sports history.
At the same time, UCLA Athletics faced persistent financial problems, football struggled for consistency and Jarmond faced increasing criticism from portions of the fan and donor base.
His 2024 contract extension was supposed to keep him in Westwood through 2029. Instead, UCLA ended his tenure in August 2026.
The next major question is how UCLA handles the financial consequences of the termination and whether Tim Harris can create a sustainable business model while maintaining the breadth and competitiveness of the Bruins’ athletic program.
FAQs
Is Martin Jarmond still UCLA athletic director?
No. UCLA removed Jarmond as athletic director on August 31, 2026. Tim Harris replaced him as CEO and athletic director.
What was Martin Jarmond’s salary at UCLA?
His 2024 extension called for annual salaries ranging from $1.55 million in the first year to $2.1 million in the fifth year, before additional bonuses and incentives.
When did Martin Jarmond’s UCLA contract expire?
His extended contract was scheduled to run through June 30, 2029.
Who is Martin Jarmond’s wife?
His wife is Dr. Jessica Jarmond, a dentist. Boston College identified her as his wife when Jarmond became its athletic director in 2017.
Did Martin Jarmond work for USC?
No. Jarmond was UCLA’s athletic director. He did not serve as USC’s athletic director. His connection to USC is primarily through the UCLA-USC rivalry and the two schools’ move to the Big Ten.
Why was Martin Jarmond fired?
UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk cited the athletics department’s significant financial deficit and the rapidly changing college sports environment when announcing the leadership change.
What are people saying about Martin Jarmond on Reddit?
Reddit reaction has been mixed but largely critical in UCLA-focused communities, with discussions concentrating on finances, football, NIL and donor relations. Reddit comments represent fan opinions and should not be treated as verified facts.
Leave a Reply