Dr. Hunter Sims, Director of Athletics at Howard Payne University since 2016, is leaving to join another American Southwest Conference institution – Mary Hardin-Baylor – where he will serve as Vice President for Athletics, effective June 2, according to a UMHB Wednesday press release.

Sims will replace Randy Mann who announced his retirement in November.

Sims began his time at Howard Payne as an assistant football coach, then served as head football coach for one season before transitioning into the role of athletic director full time.

Sims spent three years as assistant head coach and offensive coordinator for the Yellow Jackets from 2012-15, prior to his one season as head coach in 2016.

After stepping away from football, Sims focused every aspect of the HPU athletic program on achieving the mission of developing student-athletes to their fullest potential through Christian faith, higher education and intercollegiate athletics. The department has since taken great strides forward to increase the well-being and overall experience for Howard Payne’s student-athletes.

Sims oversaw the renovation of the McCullough Athletic Complex’s main lobby into a student-athlete lounge, improvements to the Nabers Tennis Center, and renovations to the Brownwood Coliseum, and also negotiated the terms of Howard Payne’s contract with Nike and BSN Sports, insuring more years of apparel sponsorship with the worlds largest footwear manufacturer. He also spearheaded a charter bus travel agreement with VIP Sports Charters for the safe and efficient travel of student-athletes and athletics staff.

Sims has revamped Howard Payne Athletics marketing and promotions strategies to help yield nearly double-digit increases in community sponsorships while also working with HPU’s campus facilities department to help secure new LED lighting at the McCullough’s football practice field. During his brief tenure, Dr. Sims has also helped to oversee an increased focus on new and emerging forms of media to highlight his student-athletes accomplishments.

Off the field, Sims served as president of the Brown County Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), was member of the HPU Staff Council and served as president of the council from 2014-2015, and started in 2018 as a member of the Brownwood Chamber of Commerce Board. He was also a member of the 2018-19 HPU Presidential Search Committee that hired current HPU President, Dr. Cory Hines.

Sims is a 2007 graduate of McMurry University with a degree in Education and a minor in History and in 2010 he finished a master’s degree in Sports Management. He completed has doctoral degree in the spring of 2024 from Hardin-Simmons University.

He and his wife, Shannon, have two sons, Sage and Finn.