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Deloss Dodds Announces Retirement

On3 imageby: Justin Wells10/01/13

For the first time in 32 years, the Texas Athletic Director job will be open. The University of Texas AD Deloss Dodds announced his plans to retire, effective August 31, 2014.

The fomer track star from Kansas State decided it was time.
“In 62 years, it’ll be the first time I haven’t had a job,” said Dodds. “I have been contemplating this decision for awhile now. I’m going to step down as of August 2014.” “We love the 32 years at Texas,” Dodds said. “In the background, that’s my family, and my friends.”

He’s helped boost UT into the upper echelon of growth, revenue, and stability in NCAA athletics, while maximising their thriving resources. They’ve been the top grossing athletic department for almost a decade with 14 National Championships between nine men’s sports. He has run the largest athletics budget in the nation, but Dodds felt he’d worked long enough.

“It’s the best thing for Texas,” Dodds remarked. “The best right now to find new leadership and transition as well.”

With the enormity of the position now open, Dodds talked about some of the requirements that the new AD must possess. “Integrity,” said Dodds. “You have to hire good coaches. You have to hire good people. And you have to hire people who care about kids.” University President Bill Powers touched on when Texas would start to search for a new AD.  “(We) will begin a nationwide search immmediately,” said Powers. I would hope to fill in the next few months but there’s no deadline. No precise timeframe. Understand, Dodds’ vision reshaped Austin, and the entire NCAA athletics. Dodds is one of the giants of college athletics.” When asked by a reporter would he players share in the revenue with the NCAA in the future, he quipped,” I’ll leave that for the attorneys.” He was asked about his availablity, and he mentioned on a part-time basis through 2020. Many of his colleagues and friends were present and he was gracious for one particular former Sooner Athletic Director.

“He was the AD at OU, but we forgave him for that,” Dodds said about his friend, Donnie Duncan.

His greatest accomplishment at Texas? “Survival,” he said. 

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