After fervent speculation on Monday, the University of Central Florida (UCF) announced that Terry Mohajir will be leading its athletics program.
Mohajir will be leaving Arkansas State University, where he has served as the athletics director since September 2012. He was later named A-State’s vice chancellor for intercollegiate athletics.
UCF announced on Tuesday, Feb. 9 that Mohajir will be taking on the role of vice president and director of athletics. He succeeds former athletic director Danny White, who accepted a five-year contract with the University of Tennessee, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
As director of athletics, one of Mohajir’s first tasks will be hiring a new head football coach. White took former head coach Josh Heupel with me to Tennesee.
During Mohajir’s tenure at A-State, he reportedly increased the athletics budget by 181 percent from $15.3 million to $43.1 million. He also increased annual fund and premium revenue by 184 percent.
In the wake of Mojahir’s departure, A-State has named deputy athletic director Rich Zvosec as the interim athletics director. According to A-State chancellor Kelly Damphousse, a national search for the next athletics director began on Tuesday.
This search will be led by Damphousse and Arkansas State University System president Dr. Charles Welch. There is reportedly no timeline on completing the search.
“When Beth and I came to campus for my interview as chancellor, our first stop that day was with Terry Mohajir Damphousse said in a statement. “We left that meeting inspired by Terry’s vision for A-State Athletics and for the university as a whole. We knew immediately that he has incredible passion for his alma mater and for the success of his staff and his student-athletes, and that has continued to play out during our time together at A-State.
“As much as I will miss him as a friend and colleague, I am excited to watch Terry lead at his new university. We wish Terry, Julie, Maria, Molly, and Marco all the best as they make this transition to Florida.”
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