Official: Texas parts ways with athletic director Steve Patterson
Update: Sept. 15 – 8 p.m. ET
The University of Texas and athletic director Steve Patterson have officially parted ways. The university said Tuesday night that Patterson “resigned.”
“Steve Patterson is a talented sports executive who brought important ideas and changes to our athletics program,” university president Gregory L. Fenves said. “We appreciate the good things he accomplished in his time here and wish him the best in future endeavors.”
Included in the announcement was a statement from Patterson, who said he reached the conclusion along with Fenves that Texas “will best be served by a new men’s athletic director.”
Here’s Patterson’s statement, in full:
After considerable discussion, The University of Texas at Austin President, Gregory Fenves, and I have agreed that our great university will be best served by a new men’s athletic director. Accordingly, I have agreed to step aside effective today. Change is never easy, but I have every confidence that UT Athletics will continue to thrive as it embraces the future. I want to thank President Fenves for the graciousness he has displayed throughout this process.
I am very proud of what we have accomplished in a relatively short period of time, including the historic addition of coaches in football and basketball, improvements to ticketing operations, facilities and other initiatives that will greatly benefit our Longhorn student-athletes and the many fans who care deeply about them. As a Longhorn myself, a graduate of the University and its law school, I want nothing but the best for my alma mater, and I wish President Fenves and everyone at UT-Austin well as we continue the journey. I leave behind a motivated and dedicated team committed to the world-class standards that all Longhorns expect.
I thank this team, our student athletes and the entire Longhorn family for having given me this opportunity to serve.
Hook ‘em!
Fenves, who offered “full support” for football coach Charlie Strong and all other UT coaches, also confirmed that Houston-based attorney Mike Perrin, a former UT linebacker, will serve as interim athletic director.
“Athletics is vitally important to the Longhorn nation,” Fenves said. “For many, athletics is the front door to the university. The excellence and integrity of our program shines a bright light on all we do. Mike Perrin will solidify strong relationships with and among our student-athletes, faculty, students, alumni and coaches, building morale for student-athletes and staff.
“Mike, a devoted Longhorn and respected Texan, has worked throughout his career to make the university a better place and is highly qualified to do so again in this new role.”
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Steve Patterson’s tumultuous tenure as Texas athletic director has reportedly come to an end.
The Austin American-Statesman first reported that University of Texas president Gregory L. Fenves was “expected to fire” Patterson in a meeting Tuesday morning. The Associated Press later confirmed that Patterson was indeed fired.
Former Longhorns linebacker Mike Perrin will become the interim athletic director, the report says.
Patterson, who was hired in Nov. 2013, lasted only 22 months on the job and ruffled plenty of feathers along the way. Multiple reports emerged since the summer about his lack of support inside the athletic department, among university donors and among the Texas fan base.
Fenves reportedly asked Patterson to change his “personal style” and other reports focused on growing frustration with Patterson’s focus on revenue while he alienated longtime staff and supporters of the athletic department.
Patterson losing “the confidence of the coaches” was the “last straw,” the American-Statesman reported.
From the American-Statesman:
UT fans were stunned in January when the Statesmen reported the athletic department suffered a $2.8 million loss for the 2013-14 fiscal year. It was the first time the department lost money since the 1999-2000 academic cycle.
Patterson embarked on a series of revenue-raising moves.
He angered football season ticket holders by raising prices an average of 6 percent across the board. Parking also cost extra instead of being folded into the Longhorn Foundation donation, as it had for years. Basketball season ticket holders were stunned to see a 7 percent average increase.
Patterson also implemented a stiff ticket resale policy. Under the new rules, season ticket holders cannot sell their tickets on the secondary market if they have the grandfathered Longhorn Foundation donation, which is typically a lower amount than what’s required for new buyers.
He alienated athletic department employees with a cool demeanor that was a direct opposite of Dodds’ down-home ways. Patterson also forced out those he believed weren’t getting the job done, including fundraiser David Onion and football sports information director John Bianco.
On top of that, a “Patterson Must Go” banner flew over Royal-Memorial Stadium before the Longhorns’ game against Rice on Saturday.
Patterson, who replaced DeLoss Dodds upon his retirement after 32 years on the job, reportedly has a guaranteed contract worth $1.4 million annually that runs through Aug. 2019 and has no buyout clause. During his time at Texas, he hired Charlie Strong as football coach and Shaka Smart as men’s basketball coach.
Patterson, who was reportedly chosen over former West Virginia athletic director (and current NCAA executive vice president for regulatory affairs) Oliver Luck, came to Texas after 19 months as athletic director at Arizona State.
Before his time at ASU, Patterson was in upper management with the Houston Rockets and the Houston Texans. He also worked in the Portland Trail Blazers organization before starting his own business in 2007.
Fox Sports’ Bruce Feldman reported that there will be a “big push” for former UT head coach Mack Brown to replace Patterson. The American-Statesman’s report says Brown “met with Fenves last week,” but is “not being considered for the permanent athletic director job.”
For more Texas news, visit Orangebloods.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
