University of Texas president Gregory Fenves has reportedly fired athletic director Steve Patterson after just 22 months on the job.
Fenves reportedly met with Patterson Tuesday morning as reports about Patterson’s imminent firing swirled on social media.
Texas trying to complete negotiations with Patterson by 5 pm today. Source: Search for successor "could be slow. Most ADs already engaged."
— Kirk Bohls (@kbohls) September 15, 2015
Patterson succeeded longtime Texas AD DeLoss Dodds, who retired in 2013.
During his tenure, Patterson was responsible for two major coaching hires, bringing football coach Charlie Strong and men’s basketball coach Shaka Smart to Austin. The football team is just 1-8 against ranked opponents under Strong.
Loss of support from Longhorn coaches was final straw for Patterson.
— Kirk Bohls (@kbohls) September 15, 2015
Some Patterson moves caused clashes with longtime supporters of the athletic department – he raised ticket prices for football and basketball, and instituted an aggressive move to raise even more money for the nation’s wealthiest athletic department.
By firing Patterson before the end of his guaranteed contract – which has no buyout clause-- the university owes him $5.6 million according to the Austin American-Statesman.
Mike Perrin, a former football player for Texas during the 1960s, will be named interim athletic director.
