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Byrne Stresses Alabama Cannot Become Complacent In Introductory Press Conference

Greg Byrne was formally introduced as the new Alabama AD on Thursday, and unlike predecessors Bill Battle and Mal Moore, Byrne is an outside hire, but "he's not arriving with the intent of turning the department upside down," according to a front-page piece by Ben Jones of the TUSCALOOSA NEWS. Byrne will take control of the athletic department as it "flourishes thanks in large part to its recent football success." Alabama's total athletic revenue is among the "highest in the country" and the football program has appeared in all three CFPs to date. Byrne said the athletic department "certainly is not broken," but he added the school must "stay very focused." Byrne: "Don't be complacent. Provide leadership that allows those things to happen. I think that's going to be very important for the coming years." Jones reports Byrne plans to "take an extensive tour of Alabama's athletic facilities when he arrives in Tuscaloosa full-time in the coming weeks." He also will "meet with coaches and administrators to learn about plans for the university and the athletics department" (TUSCALOOSA NEWS, 1/20). In Birmingham, Rainer Sabin writes Byrne is "cognizant of Alabama's rich tradition," and "believes his mission is to advance the school's sports programs and stay ahead of the curve." Byrne has also noted how much facilities "play a role in attracting student-athletes in this Instagram age." Byrne: "You just can't hit the pause button. What we are really fortunate here is the infrastructure, for the most part, is really, really good. That doesn't mean you just stop. ... You have to continue to reinvest in your success" (BIRMINGHAM NEWS, 1/20).

MAKING A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION: In Alabama, Tony Tsoukalas notes Byrne on Thursday was "flashing the bright and engaging personality that has allowed him to be one of the best fundraisers in college athletics." He "instantly demonstrated why he is one of the hottest names" among rising ADs. While his ability to "grow Alabama’s athletic revenue played a big part in his hiring, Byrne’s most important job figures to be the eventual hiring" of Nick Saban’s replacement "when the time comes" (MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER, 1/20). In Birmingham, Kevin Scarbinsky notes Byrne "acknowledged and thanked perhaps the three most powerful men in the Alabama athletics family" in Saban, former BOT President Paul Bryant Jr. -- Bear Bryant's son -- and BOT Athletic Committee Chair Finis St. John (BIRMINGHAM NEWS, 1/20). 

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