Fansided

Report: Texas to fire AD Steve Patterson

By Jonathan Bass

Jan 6, 2014; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns president Bill Powers (left) and head football coach Charlie Strong (center) and athletics director Steve Patterson (right) speak at a press conference in the Centennial Room of Belmont Hall at Texas-Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 6, 2014; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns president Bill Powers (left) and head football coach Charlie Strong (center) and athletics director Steve Patterson (right) speak at a press conference in the Centennial Room of Belmont Hall at Texas-Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports /
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The University of Texas will reportedly fire Longhorns AD Steve Patterson.

Texas Longhorns athletic director Steve Patterson appears on the way out from the program. Longhorns beat writer Brian Davis reported on Tuesday that the university was likely to fire Patterson after less than two years on the job.

According to Davis, Patterson had burned bridges with fans, boosters and Regents. His insistence to sell alcohol at sporting events rubbed some the wrong way, and his raising of ticket prices (along with tightened regulations on secondary market resales) made fans bristle. Moreover, his day-to-day operations reportedly made for a tense work atmosphere.

"He alienated athletic department employees with a cool demeanor that was a direct opposite of Dodds’ down-home ways. Patterson also forced out those he believed weren’t getting the job done, including fundraiser David Onion and football sports information director John Bianco."

Patterson was one of several cogs during a transitional period for the Longhorns that also included a new school president, football coach and basketball coach.

When hired in November 2013 he took over for DeLoss Dodds, who had been the school’s AD for more than three decades. Patterson’s tenure also saw the university change presidents from Bill Powers (who hired the embattled AD) to Gregory L. Fenves (who appears ready to show Patterson his walking papers). Patterson was also charged with bringing on new coaches for the program’s two revenue sports, basketball and football. He helped usher out stalwarts Mack Brown and Rick Barnes, who had spent a combined 33 years with the Longhorns, and hired fresh, young coaches Charlie Strong and Shaka Smart.

As of post, Patterson has not yet been removed from his position; however he did meet with Fenves on Tuesday morning to reportedly discuss buyout terms. Several members in the media, including Davis, report that Patterson’s dismissal will be announced Tuesday afternoon.

According to Davis, there was no buyout clause in Patterson’s initial contract, and that if terms have not been negotiated down the university will owe him $5.6 million. Patterson’s contract was through 2019 at a cost of $1.4 million per year.

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