Report: Texas AD asked to change his ‘personal style’
Texas athletic director Steve Patterson’s management and interactions with others have rubbed enough people the wrong way that he’s been asked to adapt, per a report.
The Dallas Morning News cited three sources that said Patterson has been asked to change his “personal style.” The AD’s management approach has been criticized as he’s been implementing changes in Texas’ athletic department.
The sources cautioned that Patterson hasn’t yet reached the point of no return with new school president Greg Fenves. The two are scheduled to talk again Friday, sources said, as part of regularly scheduled meetings. In previous meetings, Fenves has expressed concern and told Patterson of the need to change an approach that some see as impersonal or even arrogant.
The DMN report also said the goodwill from Patterson’s hire had “pretty much been exhausted.” He was brought in to replace DeLoss Dodds in 2013. Patterson had previously worked for the Portland Trail Blazers and Arizona State.
A report from Horns Digest in June said Texas had lost approximately 10,000 ticket renewals after the 2014 season as Texas had instituted a non-resale policy on some tickets. The report also detailed numerous other instances in which Patterson had had come under scrutiny in his 18+ months on the job in Austin.
Patterson has been very bottom-line oriented in his time at Texas and has focused on increasing the Longhorns’ international presence. He’s talked about the desire to play a game in Mexico City and former coach Mack Brown and others went on a trip to Dubai. Texas’ basketball team is playing in China against Washington this year.
While the story makes it clear that those cited don’t think Patterson’s job is in immediate danger, it’s easy to see how the relationship between Patterson and the university could disintegrate now that this information is out there.
Patterson’s business acumen was one of the strengths Texas touted when he was hired, but there are other things that go into being a college athletic director. We’ll see how this dynamic unfolds, especially if the Longhorns don’t have an excellent football season in 2015.
For more Texas news, visit Orangebloods.com.
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!
