Stanford has hired former Nike CEO John Donahoe as its new athletic director, marking a shift from a more traditional hire to one with extensive business experience rather than just a typical sports administration background.

Stanford's new athletic director has taken quite a unique path to his job. The school announced the hiring of former Nike CEO John Donahoe as its next athletic director Thursday.

Nearly a year after leaving the top job at Nike, former Swoosh chief executive officer John Donahoe has joined Stanford University as the next athletic director. He will begin at Stanford on Sept. 8. Jon Levin, president of Stanford University, said in a statement that the university needed a “distinctive leader” to fill this role.