Texas A&M will introduce Bjork (r) on June 3, and he will begin in his new role on the 8thROSS BJORK
Ole Miss AD Ross Bjork has been named to the same position at Texas A&M, filling the role "previously held by Scott Woodward, who held the job for three years before leaving for the same role at LSU," according to Ben Baby of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS. Bjork has been at Ole Miss for the last seven years after being hired in '12. Texas A&M will "formally introduce its new hire at an event" on June 3, and Bjork will begin working at the school on June 8. R.C. Slocum "will continue holding" the AD position in an "interim capacity until then." A source said that the search for Woodward's replacement was "spearheaded" by Texas A&M President Michael Young and football coach Jimbo Fisher. The school from the outset was "intent on finding a high-profile replacement for Woodward" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 5/24).
HIGHS & LOWS: In Jackson, Nick Suss writes Bjork has "overseen a tumultuous era" at Ole Miss, including "tremendous highs" from appearances in New Year's Six bowl games after the '14 and '15 football seasons and an appearance in the College World Series in '14. However, Ole Miss also "endured a lengthy NCAA investigation" and "sanctions against their football program" (Jackson CLARION LEDGER, 5/24). In Texas, Robert Cessna writes Bjork "built a reputation for fundraising, making great hires and handling tough situations" at Ole Miss. The school under Bjork spent $65M to "renovate Vaught-Hemingway Stadium" and built a $94.5M basketball arena, The Pavilion, which opened in '16. Additionally, Ole Miss' athletic budget "almost doubled" to $113M in the last five years (Bryan-College Station EAGLE, 5/24).
