University of Nevada Athletics

Jashon Sykes begins his second season at Nevada as the senior associate athletic director for football operations.

Sykes will oversee the day-to-day operations of the football program including scheduling, budgeting and team travel. He joins the Wolf Pack after seven seasons in a similar role at San Diego State. With the Aztecs he worked closely with members of the campus community, including the faculty, housing and dining operations and academic advising. Additionally he assisted on game day management, community outreach, the coordination and planning of team events related to the football program, the annual team awards banquet and special projects. Sykes also served as the team’s NFL liaison, managing and coordinating pro day and assisting any potential NFL recruits with the transition from college to the NFL.

Sykes is very involved in athletic administration on a national level as he currently serves on the College Football Playoff Advisory Committee. Sykes also served on the AFCA Football Operations National Committee, as he assumed the role of AFCA National President in 2020-21.

Before his time at SDSU, Sykes spent seven years as an administrator at his alma mater, Colorado, including the last two as the Buffaloes' Director of Football Operations in 2011-12. He also served as director of the team's elite high school summer camp. Sykes returned to the Boulder campus in 2006 following a four-year pro playing career, working as an administrative assistant in recruiting and operations for one season before taking on the role of on-campus recruiting director in 2007-08. He also spent two summers with the Denver Broncos as a training camp assistant coach and worked with the linebackers as an intern in 2007, before assuming a dual role in 2008 with the operations department, while assisting the defensive line.

Sykes had a standout collegiate career, playing linebacker for Colorado and finished his career ranked 10th all-time in tackles. He received first-team All-America honors from The Sporting News following his freshman season and second-team All-America honors from Football News his sophomore year. Sykes earned recognition from the Big 12 throughout his collegiate career as well, being named to the All-Big 12 First Team in his sophomore season and receiving honorable mention as a junior. A season-ending neck injury sidelined him for his senior season and afterwards he played four seasons professionally for the Denver Broncos (2002-2004) and ended his professional career with the Washington Football Team in 2005.

Sykes earned his bachelor’s degree in Ethic Studies from Colorado in 2002. He and his wife, Qiana, have two daughters, Joslyn and Autumn, and a son, Semion.