Bjork is now the fourth AD that Texas A&M has had since leaving the Big 12 in '11TEXAS A&M UNIV.
New Texas A&M AD Ross Bjork's plans "might be to hold the program steady and possibly tweak a few items for a department that has reached" the $200M mark in annual revenue, according to Suzanne Halliburton of the AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN. During his introductory press conference yesterday, Bjork said, "I'm walking into a very healthy place." Bjork replaces Scott Woodward, who "resigned in April to take the same job at LSU." Bjork will now become the fourth AD Texas A&M has employed since it made the decision to leave the Big 12 in '11 (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 6/4). In Houston, Brent Zwerneman notes Bjork "began connecting with Aggies during a spirited introduction that was open to the public at Kyle Field's Hall of Champions." Bjork "inherits a stable situation with regard to the school’s major sports," and he "won't have to do any big-time fundraising for a new football stadium" since Kyle Field just underwent a $485M renovation four years ago (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 6/4).
OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT: In Dallas, Ben Baby writes Bjork said "all the right things" yesterday. Bjork: "The vision that I've had everywhere is that we want to be number one athletically and academically. That's it. Number one. And that will be the premise that we have here at Texas A&M." Baby writes over the last few years, Texas A&M has "clearly stated" its intentions to "build one of the best athletic departments in the country." Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp "stressed the importance of winning" at a time when the school has "invested millions into coaching salaries and facilities" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 6/4). Bjork said that Texas A&M has "many things going for it but must capitalize and embrace being the lone SEC school in Texas" (Bryan-College Station EAGLE, 6/4).
