At most major universities, the athletic director is the most powerful member of the faculty. Moreso than the president, or the deans of the various schools.
Know what my kid did at college? He studied and became an engineer. His school was small, very specialized and highly regarded in his field.
He didn’t go to one football game, nor basketball. That’s because the school was there as a school, not a glorified game. They have no athletic program, unless you count the intramural Ultimate Frisbee team.
I have very little respect for people who’s entire lives revolve around a football team where their only contribution is buying a T-shirt.
And the football coach of the State school is the highest paid State government employee.
When you have billionaire and millionaire boosters pumping in large amounts of private money because of athletics, of course the athletic director will assume a lot of weight around campus.