Central Michigan AD Dave Heeke "has accepted" the VP/Athletics job at the Univ. of Arizona, according to Mark Snyder of the DETROIT FREE PRESS. Heeke, who has held the AD job at CMU since January '06, "will replace" Greg Byrne in Tucson after Byrne left for the AD position at Alabama. Heeke has "been in discussions for other major-college AD jobs over the recent years." He "previously spent 18 years" at the Univ. of Oregon (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 2/26). In Tuscon, Zack Rosenblatt noted since Byrne's departure, Arizona Senior Associate AD Erika Barnes had "assumed the position in an interim capacity, but Barnes did not pursue the full-time position." At CMU, Heeke "spearheaded fundraising" for $22M in renovations to CMU's basketball arena and fitness center. He also "oversaw the planning and design" of a $6M lacrosse and soccer stadium, as well as $10M in renovations for other facilities. Arizona President Ann Weaver Hart "cited Heeke's experience and his 'sustained level of accomplishment' as reasons for his hiring" (ARIZONA DAILY STAR, 2/26). In Detroit, Tony Paul noted candidates to replace Heeke "could include" CMU Senior Associate AD/External Operations Craig Willey and Univ. of Oakland AD Jeff Konya (DETROIT NEWS, 2/26). Byrne tweeted Heeke is a "great hire" for Arizona. Byrne: "Known @Dave_Heeke for over 25 years & he is one of the best in college sports" (TWITTER.com, 2/25).
WHOLE NEW WORLD: In Tuscon, Greg Hansen noted Byrne "begins his employment" at Alabama this week, and the school "won't be counting pennies the way Arizona must." Alabama reportedly had an $18.7M profit in '16, while the U.S. Department of Education reported Arizona's '16 athletic profit as $4.1M. Hansen noted the "key to paying bills in Power 5 college sports is media rights" -- Alabama was paid $42M last year -- and "income from donors." Arizona earns about $25M a year in media rights, and its donor income is "probably a fourth of that at Alabama" (ARIZONA DAILY STAR, 2/26).
