Chris King comes to UTPA after serving as an associate director of athletics at the University of Alabama for seven years, assisting the Director of Athletics in day-to-day operations, including serving as a sport administrative oversight for ten sports, and served as a member of the Director of Athletics senior staff. King was the first senior staff member hired by Alabama Director of Athletics Mal Moore when Moore was promoted to the top position in the athletic department and served the first five years as the head of compliance.

King's philosophy begins with communication, communication not only within the athletic department, but with the university and the community as well. Another part of King's philosophy is integrity, where the "student-athlete first concept" is as important as the term "athlete". King believes the primary purpose for student-athletes is to get an education and to develop into future leaders for our community.

King's expectations at UTPA are to become the "most efficient and effective department on campus", to be the "most visible marketing tool" and to be the "front porch" to this university.

While at Alabama, King was responsible for the management of the NCAA rules compliance program and oversight during the five-year NCAA probation period. During that probationary period, King was responsible for the completion of the annual progress report to the NCAA Committee on Infractions that included enhancements, planned changes and activities undertaken during the NCAA probation period. King also served as liaison to the university legislative committee on NCAA and SEC legislative issues and was appointed as the campus liaison for the athletic department's second cycle athletics certification self-study.

Prior to UA, King served as an Assistant Athletic Director at the University of Central Florida (UCF) in Orlando. King's responsibilities included the supervision and oversight of the compliance, equipment, sports medicine, and strength and conditioning operations. King assisted the Director of Athletics and negotiated the contract of an athletics apparel and footwear agreement with Adidas and was responsible for reengineering the equipment inventory control system.

A 1994 graduate of Robert Morris University with a bachelor's degree in sports management, King received his master's degree in educational leadership and supervision from Campbell University in 1997. King is married to the former Alicia Flowers and they have one daughter, Kylie.