Stanford late Thursday named former Nike CEO John Donahoe its next athletic director, a seemingly unlikely hire, but one the university said is a perfect fit given the ongoing turmoil in college sports. The move also further cements the university’s ties with Nike co-founder Phil Knight, a Stanford alumnus and a major donor.

Stanford's new athletic director has taken quite a unique path to his job. The school announced the hiring of former Nike CEO John Donahoe as its next athletic director Thursday.

Nearly a year after leaving the top job at Nike, former Swoosh chief executive officer John Donahoe has joined Stanford University as the next athletic director. He will begin at Stanford on Sept. 8. Jon Levin, president of Stanford University, said in a statement that the university needed a “distinctive leader” to fill this role.