New Washington State AD Pat Chun during his introductory press conference yesterday said that he "believes there's good infrastructure in place for success at WSU" and that university President Kirk Schulz' presence "factored into his decision to take the job," according to Stefanie Loh of the SEATTLE TIMES. Chun, who signed a five-year contract worth $650,000 annually, said Schulz' "vision and plans for the university and the department of athletics were critical in piquing my interest." Chun: "Everything is in place right now. ... We're in great shape. It's my job to make sure this next chapter of our athletic program's history is the greatest one ever written." Loh notes Chun "doesn't plan to initiate any immediate staffing changes." Chun has a "reputation as an excellent fundraiser" -- a quality Schulz "stressed in WSU's search for a successor to replace" former AD Bill Moos. Schulz said Chun was selected after the search committee "interviewed eight semifinalists," seven of whom were sitting Power Five ADs. Schulz said that Chun was the "first of the eight to interview" (SEATTLE TIMES, 1/24).
