Darryl Sims Named New W Club Director
The former Wisconsin football player has stepped into his new leadership role at the Madison-based club.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in People
Wisconsin has named former NFL player Darryl Sims as the new director of the W Club. Sims joins the organization after leading the athletic department at UW-Oshkosh since 2010.
Why it matters
The transition marks a significant personnel shift for the university athletics organization as it integrates a longtime administrator into its leadership structure.
Sims brings extensive administrative experience, having led the UW-Oshkosh athletic department since 2010. His predecessor, Chris Solinsky, held the W Club director role for five months before moving to a new position.
The players
Darryl Sims
He is a former Wisconsin football player who previously served as the director of the UW-Oshkosh athletic department.
Chris Solinsky
He is the former director of the W Club who now leads the track and field and cross country programs at Wisconsin.
Abby Gildernick
She serves as the interim athletic director at UW-Oshkosh following the departure of Darryl Sims.
The details
The university athletics department officially announced the hiring of Darryl Sims through a post on Instagram. Sims, who was a first-round NFL draft pick in 1985, replaces Chris Solinsky, who transitioned to lead the track and field and cross country programs at Wisconsin.
Timeline
Darryl Sims was selected as an NFL first-round draft pick in 1985.
Sims began his career at UW-Oshkosh as a part-time assistant in 1998.
He served as an assistant defensive line coach for the Oakland Raiders in 2006.
Sims oversaw the UW-Oshkosh athletic department starting in 2010.
The university announced the hiring of Sims on September 24, 2026.
Market Landscape
The hiring of Sims reflects the ongoing evolution of the University of Wisconsin Athletic Department administrative structure. This move follows a broader trend of athletic departments prioritizing experienced personnel to manage alumni and support organizations.
The transition in leadership does not immediately impact the daily experiences of members or program participants. Future programming and administrative policies for the W Club will likely be updated under the new director's guidance.
The takeaway
The appointment of a veteran administrator like Sims highlights the importance of institutional stability in collegiate support organizations. Readers can expect further organizational updates as the university fills remaining administrative vacancies.
What happens next
UW-Oshkosh will conduct a national search for a permanent athletic director to succeed the current interim leadership.
Further reading
For more information on university staff transitions, visit our People section.
