Matt Whiting was named Director of Athletics at the University of Central Arkansas on July 1, 2024. During that time, the Bears and Sugar Bears have secured 10 conference championship titles as well as earning the Jesse C. Fletcher Trophy and Bill Bibb Trophy, as the top overall men’s and top overall athletic program in the Atlantic Sun Conference during the 2025-26 season.
Whiting joined the Central Arkansas Athletics staff in June 2016 as Assistant Athletic Director forDevelopment and was elevated to Associate Athletic Director for External Relations in August 2018. In this role, he provided oversight of athletics development, marketing, ticketing, creative services,
broadcast and production operations, licensing and corporate sponsorship efforts.
Since joining the Central Arkansas Athletics staff, Whiting has been instrumental in increasing athletic fundraising efforts for the Bears and Sugar Bears. He has also played a key role in securing private funding for several capital improvement projects, endowments, and coordinated athletic alumni events and donor relations during his time in Conway.
Whiting has worked closely with the athletic marketing and ticketing teams to increase ticket revenue and enhance the game day experience at Central Arkansas athletic events. While making the move to the Atlantic Sun Conference, Whiting was involved in the build out of the new ESPN control room that has enabled Central Arkansas athletic events to be produced in-house and featured on the worldwide leader in sports.
Prior to joining the Central Arkansas Athletics staff, Whiting was the Associate Athletic Director for External Operations at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. In his role in Monticello, Whiting was responsible for athletic fundraising efforts, coordinated alumni relations and events for UAM Athletics, and served on the athletic director’s senior administrative staff assisting with marketing efforts for the department.
During his time in Monticello, Whiting was responsible for revamping the private fundraising arm of UAM Athletics. This effort led to a 130% increase in annual donors, and a 400% increase in annual donations. He also led the UAM Athletics corporate partnership program, capital improvement projects, and increased the athletic scholarship endowment through private gifts during his time at UAM.
Whiting joined the UAM Athletics staff after earning his MBA at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in May 2012. Before pursuing his master’s degree, Whiting earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from UAM in May 2010. Whiting, a former college baseball student-athlete, began his collegiate career at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith.
Whiting and his wife, Johannah, reside in Conway with their two children, Camden and Chandler.
