Cal AD Mike Williams current deal is set to expire in May, and he "won’t seek an extension," according to Jon Wilner of the San Jose MERCURY NEWS. Williams, who first took over as interim AD in '14 before getting the role full time, "plans to stay on the job until a replacement is hired or his contract expires in the spring -- whichever comes first." He said, “I made a three- or four-year commitment. It shouldn’t be a shock that I’m marking the end of my commitment to the campus.” Wilner notes the administrative environment has "only gotten more difficult during his tenure, with the athletic department squeezed by massive debt service payments on the Memorial Stadium and training center projects." Williams "never viewed the role as a long-term commitment." Wilner notes Cal is "expected to cut expenses dramatically to help lower the operating deficit [approximately $18M for FY '17-18]." Williams was "criticized for hiring basketball coach Wyking Jones in March, and donors have grown frustrated with what sources described as a lack of communication from Williams and his department." But under Williams’ tenure, Cal’s academic performance has "improved dramatically." Williams also "oversaw Cal’s partnerships" with Under Armour and Learfield, which will "combine to generate a net increase" of approximately $8M annually for the athletic department (San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 8/16).
