Kirby Hocutt earned a bachelor's degree from Kansas State University in 1995, where he was a four-year letterman at the linebacker position.
From 1999 to 2005, Hocutt was at the University of Oklahoma and served as associate athletics director for external operations and sports administration.
Prior to joining the Oklahoma staff, Hocutt served as the coordinator of licensing at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
He began his career in sports administration as the assistant director of marketing and promotions at his alma mater, Kansas State University.
Hocutt replaced the retiring Gerald Myers, who served as athletic director for the Texas Tech Red Raiders since 1996.
On December 12, 2012, Hocutt hired former Texas Tech player Kliff Kingsbury to fill the football head coaching vacancy left by the resignation of Tommy Tuberville.
In February 2015, Hocutt was selected to replace West Virginia athletic director Oliver Luck as the Big 12 Conference's representative to the College Football Playoff committee.
In March 2010, Hocutt was selected as a "Forty Under 40" recipient by Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Journal; the publication's program identifies and honors young executives in the sports business under the age of 40.