FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                               

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (September 4, 2026) — Julian Tackett, who recently announced his retirement as commissioner of the Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA), effective later this year, is joining the NFHS on a consulting basis while finishing his duties as KHSAA commissioner and assisting the KHSAA Board of Control in their leadership transition. 

In early 2027, the plan is for Tackett to transition to a full-time leadership position with the NFHS as Associate Executive Director – Operations & Technology. 

Tackett’s initial work with the NFHS during the remainder of 2026 will be focused on the NFHS technology area. During this time, he will work closely with NFHS Executive Director Davis Whitfield and the NFHS Information Technology team as the NFHS accelerates its efforts to support and assist the 51 state associations.

Once he transitions to his full-time administrative position as Associate Executive Director – Operations & Technology in early 2027, Tackett’s responsibilities will include – beyond technology strategy and leadership – the NFHS rules-making process, NFHS Holdings, Inc. management; the NFHS membership insurance program; the NFHS awards program; and oversight of NFHS office facilities.  

“Julian Tackett brings a unique combination of leadership, institutional knowledge and technological expertise to this role,” Whitfield said. “His decades of service to Kentucky and the NFHS, including leadership on numerous NFHS committees and chairing the NFHS Strategic Planning process, have given him a deep understanding of both state association and NFHS needs. His work in developing and overseeing an in-house technology platform – and guidance in transitioning that platform to a more modern system to help their member schools – demonstrates his ability to turn innovation into practical solutions. His depth of knowledge, work ethic, experience and skill set make Julian uniquely qualified—and the perfect person—to lead this important work for the NFHS.”

“I am excited about this challenge to assist our 51 member associations and work and assist the extremely talented staff at the NFHS in those efforts,” Tackett said. “I will be forever indebted to the KHSAA schools for the opportunity to work on their behalf, as well as to the outstanding team members of the KHSAA staff and the more than 130 past and present Board members. I truly have been blessed.”

Tackett announced his retirement early last week while serving in his 17^th year as KHSAA commissioner and 42 years overall on the association’s administrative staff. He is currently the longest-tenured administrator in the 51 NFHS-member state associations.

Tackett began his career at the KHSAA in 1984 as Sports Information Director and held that position until 1991 when he was named Business Affairs Director (1991-95), followed by promotions to Assistant Commissioner (1995-08), Executive Assistant Commissioner (2008-10), and Commissioner (2010-present).

Under Tackett’s guidance, the KHSAA has enjoyed the greatest expansion and growth of opportunities for the student-athletes across the Commonwealth in its 109-year history with the addition of sports and sport activities including Bowling (2012), Competitive Cheer (2012), Archery (2013), Bass Fishing (2013), Field Hockey (2014), Unified Sports Opportunities in Track (2015), Dance (2017), Esports (2018), Indoor Track & Field (2024), Boys and Girls Lacrosse (2025), Boys Volleyball (2025), and the adoption of Pickleball and Girls Flag Football beginning with the 2027-28 school year. 

Tackett also oversaw the Association’s development of the first-ever statewide radio network for the Boys and Girls Sweet 16® and the development of its first-ever public website. In addition, he guided the KHSAA’s governance efforts regarding middle school athletics beginning in 2013 and helped increase the number of licensed sports officials by creating the Junior Officials program (14–17-year-olds) in 2023-24.

Tackett’s list of accomplishments at the national level is just as impressive, having served on numerous NFHS committees such as the Strategic Planning (chair), Football Rules (chair), Baseball Rules, Basketball Rules, Records, Hall of Fame Screening (chair), Technology (chair), Sports Medicine, and NFHS Network (chair). He has given many presentations at the NFHS Summer Meeting, National Athletic Directors Conferences, and dozens of other conferences, commencement ceremonies, and local group meetings.

I may be in the minority here but I think this is a good hire by the NFHS.

Congrats Commissioner Tackett!

37 minutes ago, theguru said:

I may be in the minority here but I think this is a good hire by the NFHS.

Congrats Commissioner Tackett!

Ditto. Great hire. Julian is a smart guy. A seasoned administrator. He did many good things while leading the KHSAA.

And, at the same time, I feel it was definitely time for a new leader at the KHSAA. Someone who will be more aggressive and proactive to the trends and issues that have surfaced for high school sports in Kentucky the last 5 years.