As deputy athletic director at the time, McIntosh was seen as the frontrunner to land the athletic director job having been groomed for the position by Alvarez. Chancellor Rebecca Blank announced on June 2, 2021, that he had in fact been selected as Alvarez's successor.
At the time of his role as deputy athletic director, McIntosh was considered the leading candidate for the athletic director position, which Alvarez had groomed him for. Chancellor Rebecca Blank announced on June 2, 2021, that McIntosh had been selected to succeed Alvarez.