SJSU Reassigns AD Amid Abuse Scandal, Names Interim

Fallout from the sexual abuse scandal engulfing San Jose State University athletics has resulted in a major shakeup at the school.

On Friday, the university reassigned embattled athletic director Marie Tuite to another role within the university, then announced the following day that the university's CFO and vice president for administration and finance Charlie Faas as its interim director of athletics as SJSU searches for its 15th athletic director.

"As a leader, I am deeply sorry our student-athletes were impacted by Scott Shaw," Tuite said in a statement, as reported by ESPN. "I will continue to fully cooperate with any and all investigations. My key objective here is to let our community heal."

An external investigation launched in December 2019 determined that Scott Shaw, who served SJSU as director of sports medicine, inappropriately touched eight former and two current female student-athletes during purported physical therapy sessions. Most of the incidents took place between 2006 and 2009, and another two took place after 2017, according to the school.

Related: Former SJS Sports Med Director Responsible for Abuse

The incidents were initially reported by women's swimming and diving coach Sage Hopkins in December 2009, but a university investigation found no wrongdoing in May 2010, ESPB reoirted, Shaw resigned in August, four months after a USA Today report shed light on the university's handling of the allegations.

Hopkins and former deputy athletic director Steve O'Brien have named Tuite and other SJSU administrators in two lawsuits that allege retaliation and wrongful termination related to the investigation into Shaw.

Related: Sexual Abuse Whistleblower Suing San Jose State

Tuite was hired as the athletic department's chief operations officer in 2010 before being named the athletic director in 2017. Her new role will be as a special director of external relations and capital project development.

"I love San Jose State University and I am committed to its mission," Tuite said. "My new role allows me to continue this important work, and I am grateful for the opportunity to do so."

According to the SJSU athletics website, university president Mary Papazian has formed a four-person search committee, including Faas, that will work collaboratively with her and TurnkeyZRG in a national search for its next director of athletics.