New Arizona State VP/Athletics Ray Anderson on Thursday at his introductory press conference "professed a long-term commitment to his new job," according to Jeff Metcalfe of the ARIZONA REPUBLIC. Anderson, who will leave his position as NFL Exec VP/Football Operations following Super Bowl XLVIII, said, "This is not a steppingstone for me to anywhere else. This is my destination." ASU President Michael Crow said he wanted someone "with experience outside the university sector" to replace Steve Patterson, who left last year for the men's AD position at Texas. Metcalfe notes Anderson "brings his professional jobs" as a lawyer, sports agent and pro football exec, including leading the NFL's football operations department since '06. He now will be "responsible for managing" ASU’s 20 sports and $60M annual budget, and will play a "key role in construction of a new Sun Devil Stadium, plus development of an athletic district that will raise funds to pay for capital projects such as the football stadium" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 1/10). Terms of Anderson’s contract are not yet available, but the Arizona Board of Regents is "expected to formally approve Anderson’s hiring at its Feb. 6 meeting, if not before." Patterson in September received a contract extension through June '18 and a "raise to $450,000 annual base salary." Anderson "offered to put a non-compete provision in his contract preventing him from taking another college job" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 1/10). In Phoenix, Paola Boivin wrote under the header, "ASU Delivers Big With Hiring Of Anderson." Crow "didn’t need someone hungry to ascend a career ladder." He needed someone who shared his "vision of keeping student in the 'student-athlete' equation, who believes athletic success and fiscal restraint can go hand in hand." Boivin: "Nothing is a sure thing. But Anderson sounds pretty darn close" (AZCENTRAL.com, 1/9).
GREEN WITH ENVY: In Baton Rouge, Scott Kushner notes Tulane is "actively seeking applicants for a new position near the top of the department," officially titled Deputy AD & COO. A Tulane spokesperson said that the position, which will fall under the supervision of AD Rick Dickson, is "not being filled to replace anyone currently within the athletic department." It is "being added as an expansion to the athletics staff." The new position will be "responsible for assisting in the day-to-day operations, programming and administration of several internal departments, including marketing, financial management, personnel supervision, communications and contract negotiations" (Baton Rouge ADVOCATE, 1/10).
