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College AD Notes: George O'Leary To Step Down As Interim UCF AD

In Orlando, Green & Bianchi cite sources as saying that George O'Leary will "step down as UCF's interim athletics director during his weekly press conference today." The news comes after a 40-13 defeat to UConn, one of the "worst losses in school history at Bright House Networks Stadium before an announced crowd of 26,669 fans." That turnout was the lowest at a home game since Nov. 25, 2011." UCF President John Hitt last month indicated that O'Leary's term "would run through December, and then the school would evaluate his performance and to see if the football coach still wanted to pursue the job full-time" (ORLANDOSENTINEL.com, 10/12).

CARDINALS' ALLEGED SINS: CBSSPORTS.com's Matt Norlander noted Univ. of Louisville President James Ramsey on Thursday "released a 174-word statement" regarding the recent allegation that the men's basketball team had an escort program to entice recruits. Ramsey said school AD Tom Jurich had his "support." However, coach Rick Pitino "is not even referenced in the statement, let alone directly named." The absence of Pitino's name "doesn't mean one thing or another explicitly, but it is certainly something of note" (CBSSPORTS.com, 10/8).

Guerrero (l) has been applauded by others at UCLA for his steadiness
DAN THE MAN: In California, Ryan Kartje profiled UCLA AD Dan Guerrero and wrote he "doesn’t cut the imposing, authoritative figure that athletic directors of his repute often do -- a characteristic deemed as aloofness by his critics." Kartje: "It’s true -- there is a reticence to him, which, for those outside of the department and his close sphere of family and friends, has made him difficult to read. His responses are often calculated. Rarely is he outwardly emotional in public." UCLA Senior Associate AD & Senior Women's Administrator Petrina Long: "He’s not interested in branding himself." Kartje noted to those critical of him, these attributes "have been held up as an indictment of his leadership." But the truth "is much more complicated." Those inside his department "universally laud his steadiness," and colleagues "speak only highly of his wide-reaching influence." With prominent positions on numerous national committees, his voice "is one of the more present in college athletics" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 10/11).

BOWEN'S ARROW: Univ. of Memphis AD Tom Bowen recently received a contract extension through '19, and in Memphis, Geoff Calkins wrote, "I hope you take a moment to bask in the progress the Memphis athletic department has made since you moved here from San Jose State." But now "comes the really hard part." Calkins: "Start working on that list of men's basketball coaches, because you might need it this coming March. And start working on a list of men's football coaches, because you might need it sooner than anyone would like. There's nothing at stake except your legacy, your professional future and the fate of the Memphis athletic department" (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 10/10).

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