Byrne says Goodbye

  In a relatively short 18 minute address and following press conference Tuesday, the Bill Byrne tenure as Texas A&M’s Athletic Director officially ended.  Byrne told a large crowd of media, staff and Aggie supporters that his path to this point has been a satisfactory one:

(Listen — Byrne2

In a press release put out a couple of hours following Byrne’s press conference, A&M announced that long-time Associate AD Dr. John Thornton will serve as the Interim Athletic Director. A&M President R. Bowen Loftin said in the release that they hope to have a permanent new athletic director identified and on campus by the start of the Fall 2012 semester. A search advisory committee headed up by Regent Jim Wilson and VP for Marketing Jason Cook will conduct what was called a Nationwide search. Later in a telepconference from Quatar where Loftin is attending A&M Commencement exercises, the Preident lauded Byrne for bringing winning team to A&M:

(Listen — Loftin1).

Sports Talk’s Chip Howard followed up with this question:

(Listen — LOFTIN3 (Loftin3)..

Byrne was asked if he felt his voice was sufficiently heard in major decision such as joining the SEC and changing football coaches:
(Listen –
Byrne4 (Byrne4)

While all coach praised Byrne for the success he’s brought A&M over nine and half years, one National Championship winning Coach Gary Blair, was Visibly emotional in stating his take on what perceived a forced early retirement:
(Listen –
Blair1 (blair1)

Bryan will serve as an assistant to President Loftin until Aug. 31^st of this year. The remaining year of his contract has been negotiated.

Listen to Full Bill Byrne Announcement ByrneAnnouncement

Listen to Byrne Press Conference ByrnePresser

Listen to Loftin Teleconference LoftinConferenceCall

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Posted by Tom Turbiville on May 8 2012. Filed under Featured Stories, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry