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 his position as deputy athletic director, McIntosh was viewed as a potential candidate to become the athletic director, with Alvarez having trained him for the role. Chancellor Rebecca Blank announced on June 2, 2021, that McIntosh had been selected to take over from Alvarez.