Nine Division I athletic departments experienced AD turnover in April, making it the busiest month of 2019 for athletic director transitions. The biggest move came when LSU lured Scott Woodward away from SEC rival, Texas A&M, following the Tigers reassignment of former AD Joe Alleva. LSU and Texas A&M were the only Power Five programs to experience AD turnover in April.
LSU
News first broke of a leadership change in Baton Rouge early on Wednesday, April 17. Later that afternoon LSU made the move official, announcing that Alleva – LSU’s AD since 2008 – would transition to a new role as special assistant to the president for donor relations. Soon after, the Tigers made Alleva’s departure official, news reports indicated LSU had already found Alleva’s replacement in Texas A&M’s Scott Woodward. Woodward – a Baton Rouge native and LSU alum – was announced as the Tigers new AD on Thursday.
Texas A&M
Within moments of LSU officially announcing Joe Alleva’s departure, speculation immediately began to swirl around Aggies’ AD Scott Woodward. Woodward, who was in his fourth year at Texas A&M, officially announced his departure from the university on Thursday, April 18. The move to LSU marks not only a return to his home state and alma mater, but also Woodward’s second stint in the Tigers’ athletic department. Woodward served as LSU’s Director of External Affairs from 2000-2004. Former Aggies’ football coach RC Slocum has been named interim AD while Texas A&M searches for Woodward’s replacement.
Cleveland State
Scott Garrett was introduced as Cleveland State’s new Director of Athletics on April 8. Garrett comes to CSU from Kansas State where he oversaw K-State’s business operations, fundraising, coaching evaluations, fan experiences and student-athlete well-being. Garrett officially began his duties at Cleveland State on April 24.
New Orleans
UNO became the second Louisiana institution to experience AD turnover in April when the Privateers announced the hiring of Northeastern’s Tim Duncan. Duncan, a Memphis native, and former Memphis basketball player was officially introduced on Monday, April 29. Duncan has been in the chair twice before, serving as AD at Division II Clayton State University and director of athletics at Paine College, a Division II HBCU from 2011-2014.
SIU Edwardsville
SIUE was the first school to experience AD turnover in April when longtime Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Dr. Brad Hewitt, announced plans to retire. Hewitt has served as the Cougars AD since 2002 will officially depart at the end of June. An interim AD has not been named.
Southern Miss
Jeremy McClain is returning to Southern Miss to lead the Golden Eagles athletic department USM President Rodney Bennett announced on Thursday, April 4. McClain returns to Hattiesburg after spending the last four years leading the Troy athletic department. Prior to accepting the Trojans AD post in 2015, he oversaw the day-to-day operations of the Southern Miss athletic department.
Troy
Deputy Director of Athletics for Internal Operations and Senior Woman Administrator, Sandy Atkins, will lead the Troy athletic department on an interim basis following Jeremy McClain’s departure for Southern Miss. Special Assistant to the Chancellor and former Vice Chancellor of Troy University, Dr. Doug Patterson, will lead Troy’s search for a new AD. This is Atkins’ second time serving as the Trojans interim AD.
Western Illinois
The Leathernecks removed the interim tag, naming Danielle Surprenant Director of Athletics beginning June 1. Surprenant has served as the Leathernecks interim AD since May of 2018. Before moving into the chair on an interim basis, Surprenant served as WIU’s senior associate athletic director for internal operations and SWA. She is the second female athletic director in school history.
Weber State
Jerry Bovee was named Utah State’s Assistant Vice President and Deputy Athletics Director for External Affairs on April 23, ending his 10-year run leading the Weber State athletic department. He will begin his new role overseeing all external functions, including some direct sport supervision of the Aggies athletic department in June.