Greg Paules has been named UC Riverside’s next director of intercollegiate athletics. He will start in the role on March 23.   

Paules comes to UCR from Division I Cal State Fullerton, where he has been senior associate athletics director and athletics’ chief operation officer since 2020. From 2013-20, he was the associate athletic director, development.   

Paules replaces Wes Malette, who was UCR’s athletics director from 2021-25. He left UCR last year to become a deputy athletics director at the University of South Carolina.   

“Greg brings deep Division I athletic leadership experience, strong knowledge of the Big West Conference, and a proven record of developing philanthropic support for athletics,” said UCR Chancellor S. Jack Hu. “He understands that a strong athletic program enhances the student experience, builds pride, and elevates university visibility. I look forward to working with him to lead Highlander athletics to new levels of excellence.”    

As athletics director, Paules will report to Hu, with a dotted-line relationship to Brian Haynes, vice chancellor for Student Affairs. Paules will be responsible for day-to-day administrative oversight, including budget, compliance, and operations of all intercollegiate athletics staff, facilities, and activities for UCR’s Division I program. He will also oversee UCR Athletics’ budget and operational plan.  

The UC Riverside Highlanders compete in 17 sports at the NCAA Division I level, the highest level of collegiate competition in the country. UC Riverside is a member of the Big West Conference.  

Paules was selected following a nationwide search conducted by Parker Executive Search Firm. 

“We're excited to welcome Greg to UC Riverside at such a pivotal time for Highlander Athletics,” said Haynes, who was chair of the athletics director hiring committee. “I’m especially encouraged by his focus on strengthening student engagement and creating an Athletics experience that brings our campus community together. We're looking forward to the momentum he will help build to bring our program to new heights of competitiveness, community impact, and institutional pride here at UCR.”  

At Cal State Fullerton, Paules ran the day-to-day operations of a department with a $24 million annual budget and completed more than $30 million in capital improvement projects with a mix of public and private funds. He served for several months as acting athletics director in 2021-22.  

Before working at CSUF, he served in an external relations capacity at UC Irvine dating back to his time as a student. At UC Irvine, he earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology, and later his MBA.   

Paules, 39, is a native of Pasadena, having grown up in Monrovia, and attended La Salle High School, where he played soccer, baseball, and basketball. He is married to wife Peggy, and they have two daughters, Lyla, 10, and Eve, 8. 

“What gets me excited is there is so much untapped potential at UC Riverside,” Paules said. “We can really get our arms around Riverside, Moreno Valley, and San Bernardino if we build a great product. It’s a strong sports community and culture, and we just have to tie it to the university.” 

“I wanted to take an AD job where I can have a real impact, and I think I can do that at UCR, riding the momentum of the new chancellor,” he said. “It all felt right and very comfortable. I can’t wait to get to campus.”  

A press event and welcome reception will be announced in the coming weeks. 

In addition to Haynes, the hiring committee included Michelle Almazan, interim director of athletics; Luis Alvarez, interim chief financial & administrative officer; Gus Argenal, men's basketball head coach; Kendra Gage, assistant professor of teaching, history; Leila Haidar, ASUCR president; Selina Hernandez, marketing and events specialist; Damon Richardson, UCR Foundation board member; Kathryn Uhrich, distinguished professor of chemistry & faculty athletics representative; Jakob Schnitzler, graduate student and student athlete, men's soccer; Makena Tong, undergraduate student and student athlete, women's volleyball; Denise Woods, vice chancellor for Health, Well-being & Safety, and Fatimat Yusuf-Olukoju, assistant track and field coach.