In Austin, Kirk Bohls wrote the "gist" of recent stories about Texas men's AD Steve Patterson is "accurate in that Patterson has been too aloof, too socially awkward, too abrasive in making radical change too fast." Patterson "hasn’t come to grips with his deficiencies and continues to do harm to his own image, whether he’s using a wrong name for U.S. Open champion Jordan Spieth or angering the fan base." This "further hints at the need for a total makeover at the athletic department and for Patterson to seriously alter his detached style if he wants to remain as AD" (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 6/24).
EAGER BEAVER: In Portland, Gina Mizell reported when newly hired Oregon State AD Todd Stansbury boarded the plane for his interview last week, he had "decided he would almost surely take the job if offered." Stansbury: "It really came down to you can't always pick your spots. Timing isn't necessarily always going to be good. In fact, it's usually bad. ... This was definitely a special opportunity that made me have to think about the possibility of going after it way before I was probably ready ... if it wasn't me (getting the job this time), I may not get another crack at this one. So it was one of those (situations) where I had to think long and hard, and I just wasn't willing to let this one pass by" (OREGONLIVE.com, 6/24).
SOBER SOONERS: In Oklahoma City, Ryan Aber noted Oklahoma President David Boren "dismissed the idea that beer sales would be permitted at football and other athletic events any time soon." Boren: "I don’t think it creates a very good game day environment." Sales of alcohol are only "allowed in the suite level at OU" (OKLAHOMAN, 6/25). OU AD Joe Castiglione said of alcohol sales, "There hasn’t been any discussion either way. We’re very well aware of some of the discussion others have had, and some of the decisions that have been made. We haven’t had any further discussions" (TULSAWORLD.com, 6/24).
OWL BE SEEING YOU: In West Palm Beach, Brian Biggane noted FAU ticket sales for the '15 football season "have increased" by 153% compared to last year, though "no specific numbers were made available." The figure "includes season tickets, multi-game packs and group sales." Included in the bump "was $110,000 in sales over a two-day period in which current season-ticket holders were offered an opportunity to buy individual game tickets during a special presale." Early indications are that the school's game against Miami, its "first at home against a Power Five Conference team, will at least approach a sellout" (PALMBEACHPOST.com, 6/24).
