Well, it was all but official, but University of Miami's athletics director, Kirby Hocutt, is leaving Coral Gables to take the same job at Texas Tech. Hocutt was seen as a rising star in the world of college athletics directors, and while his new job is certainly less high-profile, it will pay better.
"I am deeply disappointed that after only two-and-a-half years of a very successful tenure as leader of our athletics programs, Kirby Hocutt has decided to accept the AD position at Texas Tech.We did everything we could to convince him to stay, but in the end it was an intensely personal decision.I thank Kirby for his integrity, leadership, and dedication to the university," read a statement released by UM President Donna Shalala.
Besides a likely increase in pay, Hocutt was also apparently eager to return to his homestate of Texas. He grew up in Sherman, Texas which is about five hours from Tech's Lubbock campus.
The Herald reports that a desire to be closer to his parents may have also played a part. To which we say, come on Hocutt, you could have just moved your parents here. What old people don't want to move to South Florida. Half this state is dedicated to old people, jeez.
Hocutt's biggest impact on UM was the firing of football coach Randy Shannon and the subsequent hiring of Al Golden. Though he'll leave some unfinished business behind: most notably the fate of men's basketball coach Frank Haith.
Hocutt won't be the only guy with Miami experience at Texas Tech. Football coach Tommy Tuberville is a former Hurricanes defensive coordinator.
No word on who will replace Hocutt at UM.
Unsurprisingly, cranky CBS Sports writer Dennis Dodd has already taken the news as an opportunity to shit all over Miami.
Follow Miami New Times on Facebook and Twitter @MiamiNewTimes.
