Texas reportedly fired athletic director Steve Patterson on Tuesday after a brutal 22 months at the helm, that included turmoil within the athletic department and yielded poor results on the football field and basketball court. Patterson had three years left on his five-year contract, for which he was to be paid a guaranteed $1.4 million per year.
Texas reportedly fires athletic director Steve Patterson after only 22 months
It was a rocky two years at the helm.
Erich Schlegel/Getty Images
Former Texas linebacker Mike Perrin, a member of the 1968 team, to be named interim AD, source said.
— Brian Davis (@BDavisAAS) September 15, 2015
Former Longhorn LB Mike Perrin, a Hall of Honor inductee, will take over as AD during search for Patterson successor.
— Kirk Bohls (@kbohls) September 15, 2015 The move has not yet officially been announced, but that is expected to come soon.
To be clear, Texas not confirming Patterson story. Buyout negotiations going on right now, two sources said. Look for that this afternoon.
— Brian Davis (@BDavisAAS) September 15, 2015 Patterson arrived at Texas in November 2013 after previous stints as the athletic director at Arizona State and the general manager of the Portland Trailblazers. He inherited a program that was already going in the wrong direction under Mack Brown and forced Brown out that season. Then he fired basketball coach Rick Barnes after the 2014-15 season.
The Longhorns appear to have hired their top candidate in basketball, Shaka Smart, and their top non-Nick Saban candidate in football, Charlie Strong.
Patterson’s tenure has been marked by issues off the field, though. Texas president Gregory Fenves was reportedly close to firing Patterson just a day ago, and this past offseason, Patterson was reportedly told to “change his personal style” when it comes to dealing with boosters and coaches.
Patterson gained a reputation for being cheap. He cut free meals for Texas coaches, netting pretty much nothing (relatively) in savings. He also reportedly began charging opponents to bring their bands to games. Like ousted Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon, he was seen as too corporate and business-like for the job.
One potential money-making idea that fans didn't like? Playing a home game in Mexico City. But he refused to schedule former rival Texas A&M. Fans were restless, and someone flew a "Patterson Must Go" banner over the Texas-Rice game on Sept. 12. Things aren't going so well on the field, either. The Longhorns changed both their offensive play caller and quarterback just two games into the season.
Who will take over for Patterson? One report says there’ll be a push for former coach Mack Brown. That would not be universally popular.
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