Gregory Byrne
Encyclopedia
Greg Byrne is the athletic director
at the University of Arizona
. Prior to this appointment, Byrne was the athletic director at Mississippi State University
from 2008-2010 after serving as associate athletic director for the preceding two years. Previously, Byrne held associate director of athletics positions at University of Kentucky
and Oregon State University
.
. He earned his bachelor's degree at Arizona State University
and then his master's degree at Mississippi State University
. In 1995 Byrne was named the regional director of development for the University of Oregon
athletic department. Byrne then moved to Oregon State University
as an associate AD for development in 1998 where his duties included fundraising. From 2002 to 2005, Byrne was the associate AD for development and fundraising at the University of Kentucky
. In a brief departure from his athletic administration career, Byrne was the national director of sales for a litigation case management and research software company in 2005. In 2006, Byrne joined Mississippi State University
as associate athletic director for external affairs and was subsequently named as athletic director in 2008 following the move of longtime MSU athletic director Larry Templeton to an advisory post to the President of the university. Byrne is married to the former Regina Misa and has two sons. Byrne's father Bill Byrne
is the current athletics director at Texas A&M University
.
Byrne is the former athletics director for Mississippi State University
. On June 7, 2008, Byrne hired John Cohen
as head baseball coach to replace Ron Polk
, who retired the preceding March. Polk, who endorsed his assistant Tommy Raffo upon his retirement, protested the hire and waged a very personal and public attack on Byrne.
On December 10, 2008, Byrne hired Dan Mullen
as head football coach to replace Sylvester Croom
who resigned after five years and a 21–38 record at Mississippi State. Byrne received many plaudits for hiring Mullen, who is considered a rising star in coaching. Among Mullen's accomplishments, he coached NFL first round draft pick Alex Smith
at University of Utah
, recruited 2007 Heisman Trophy
winner Tim Tebow
to University of Florida
where he also won two National Championships.
On March 22, 2010, Greg Byrne was hired at the University of Arizona
(replacing longtime Arizona AD Jim Livengood, who accepted the AD position at UNLV
some months prior) and officially started in his new position on May 1, 2010.
Arizona
Byrne took over a long-term $378 million sports expansion project at Arizona, announced the previous fall, that would include an expansion of the north end zone stands at Arizona Stadium
. The expansion would include a four-story building that would house locker rooms and football offices, among other things. In January 2011, Byrne announced that a new 5356 square feet (497.6 m²) video board would be installed above the south stands in time for the 2011 season. It is the third-largest video screen in college football.
Also under Byrne, another, more immediate and major change to the Wildcat football program occurred: eight-year head coach Mike Stoops
was relieved of his duties on Oct 10, 2011 after the Wildcats opened the season with a 1-5 record. Co-defensive coordinator Tim Kish
was named as interim head coach.
On November 21, 2011, Arizona announced the hiring of Rich Rodriguez
to replace Stoops. Rodriguez previously served as the head football coach at Salem University (1988), Glenville State College (1990–1996), West Virginia
(2001–2007), and the University of Michigan
(2008–2010); he was also assistant coach, offensive coordinator
, and quarterback coach for Tulane University
(1997–1998) and Clemson University
(1999–2000) (both under head coach Tommy Bowden
).
Rodriguez' West Virginia teams played in (and won) three consecutive BCS
bowl games. Rodriguez was an analyst for CBS Sports
during the 2011 football season after a less-than-successful and disappointing tenure at Michigan. His hiring at Arizona was first announced by Greg Byrne on Twitter
while a press conference officially announcing him as the head coach was held a day later at McKale Center
in Tucson.
Rodriguez is considered one of the top offensive minds in the college football game (having coached high-scoring offenses led by quarterbacks such as Woodrow Dantzler
and Pat White), and his hiring ended a 41-day search for a head coach initiated by Byrne. Former University of Florida
head coach Urban Meyer
was approached by Byrne concerning the opening, but declined; it was widely speculated that Meyer would become the new head coach of Ohio State (and Meyer did officially accept that position a few days later). Former Texas Tech
head coach Mike Leach
was reportedly also considered for the position.
Athletic director
An athletic director is an administrator at many American colleges and universities, as well as in larger high schools and middle schools, who oversees the work of coaches and related staff involved in intercollegiate or interscholastic athletic programs...
at the University of Arizona
University of Arizona
The University of Arizona is a land-grant and space-grant public institution of higher education and research located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The University of Arizona was the first university in the state of Arizona, founded in 1885...
. Prior to this appointment, Byrne was the athletic director at Mississippi State University
Mississippi State University
The Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science commonly known as Mississippi State University is a land-grant university located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States, partially in the town of Starkville and partially in an unincorporated area...
from 2008-2010 after serving as associate athletic director for the preceding two years. Previously, Byrne held associate director of athletics positions at University of Kentucky
University of Kentucky
The University of Kentucky, also known as UK, is a public co-educational university and is one of the state's two land-grant universities, located in Lexington, Kentucky...
and Oregon State University
Oregon State University
Oregon State University is a coeducational, public research university located in Corvallis, Oregon, United States. The university offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees and a multitude of research opportunities. There are more than 200 academic degree programs offered through the...
.
Early life, education and career
Byrne was born in Pocatello, IdahoPocatello, Idaho
Pocatello is the county seat and largest city of Bannock County, with a small portion on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation in neighboring Power County, in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Idaho. It is the principal city of the Pocatello metropolitan area, which encompasses all of Bannock...
. He earned his bachelor's degree at Arizona State University
Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona...
and then his master's degree at Mississippi State University
Mississippi State University
The Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science commonly known as Mississippi State University is a land-grant university located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States, partially in the town of Starkville and partially in an unincorporated area...
. In 1995 Byrne was named the regional director of development for the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
athletic department. Byrne then moved to Oregon State University
Oregon State University
Oregon State University is a coeducational, public research university located in Corvallis, Oregon, United States. The university offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees and a multitude of research opportunities. There are more than 200 academic degree programs offered through the...
as an associate AD for development in 1998 where his duties included fundraising. From 2002 to 2005, Byrne was the associate AD for development and fundraising at the University of Kentucky
University of Kentucky
The University of Kentucky, also known as UK, is a public co-educational university and is one of the state's two land-grant universities, located in Lexington, Kentucky...
. In a brief departure from his athletic administration career, Byrne was the national director of sales for a litigation case management and research software company in 2005. In 2006, Byrne joined Mississippi State University
Mississippi State University
The Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science commonly known as Mississippi State University is a land-grant university located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States, partially in the town of Starkville and partially in an unincorporated area...
as associate athletic director for external affairs and was subsequently named as athletic director in 2008 following the move of longtime MSU athletic director Larry Templeton to an advisory post to the President of the university. Byrne is married to the former Regina Misa and has two sons. Byrne's father Bill Byrne
Bill Byrne
Clarence William "Bill" Byrne, II is the current athletic director of Texas A&M University, a position he has held since January 2003.-Early life:...
is the current athletics director at Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University is a coeducational public research university located in College Station, Texas . It is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The sixth-largest university in the United States, A&M's enrollment for Fall 2011 was over 50,000 for the first time in school...
.
Athletic director career
Mississippi StateByrne is the former athletics director for Mississippi State University
Mississippi State University
The Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science commonly known as Mississippi State University is a land-grant university located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States, partially in the town of Starkville and partially in an unincorporated area...
. On June 7, 2008, Byrne hired John Cohen
John Cohen (baseball coach)
-External links:*...
as head baseball coach to replace Ron Polk
Ron Polk
Ronald Polk was a long-time head baseball coach at Mississippi State and is considered the "Father of SEC Baseball". He is by far the winningest coach in school and SEC history in all sports. In 28 seasons as the coach, he has to date compiled a 1139-590-2 record. His career record stands at...
, who retired the preceding March. Polk, who endorsed his assistant Tommy Raffo upon his retirement, protested the hire and waged a very personal and public attack on Byrne.
On December 10, 2008, Byrne hired Dan Mullen
Dan Mullen
-External links:** on Bulldog Junction's website* article on Coach Mullen as new MSU head coach* Dan Mullen goes from Trinity star QB to Mississippi State head coach...
as head football coach to replace Sylvester Croom
Sylvester Croom
Sylvester Croom, Jr. is the former football head coach at Mississippi State University and current running backs coach of the St. Louis Rams. He was the first African American head football coach in the Southeastern Conference...
who resigned after five years and a 21–38 record at Mississippi State. Byrne received many plaudits for hiring Mullen, who is considered a rising star in coaching. Among Mullen's accomplishments, he coached NFL first round draft pick Alex Smith
Alex Smith
Alexander Douglas Smith is a professional American football player and starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. Smith was drafted with the 1st-overall pick in the 1st round of the 2005 NFL Draft by San Francisco from the University of Utah...
at University of Utah
University of Utah
The University of Utah, also known as the U or the U of U, is a public, coeducational research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The university was established in 1850 as the University of Deseret by the General Assembly of the provisional State of Deseret, making it Utah's oldest...
, recruited 2007 Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
winner Tim Tebow
Tim Tebow
Timothy Richard "Tim" Tebow is an American football player who is currently the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Broncos as the 25th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft...
to University of Florida
University of Florida
The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
where he also won two National Championships.
On March 22, 2010, Greg Byrne was hired at the University of Arizona
University of Arizona
The University of Arizona is a land-grant and space-grant public institution of higher education and research located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The University of Arizona was the first university in the state of Arizona, founded in 1885...
(replacing longtime Arizona AD Jim Livengood, who accepted the AD position at UNLV
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
University of Nevada-Las Vegas is a public, coeducational university located in the Las Vegas suburb of Paradise, Nevada, USA. The campus is located approximately east of the Las Vegas Strip. The institution includes a Shadow Lane Campus, located just east of the University Medical Center of...
some months prior) and officially started in his new position on May 1, 2010.
Arizona
Byrne took over a long-term $378 million sports expansion project at Arizona, announced the previous fall, that would include an expansion of the north end zone stands at Arizona Stadium
Arizona Stadium
Arizona Stadium is an outdoor football stadium on the campus of the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona, United States. It is the home field of the Arizona Wildcats of the Pacific-12 Conference, and its current seating capacity is 57,803....
. The expansion would include a four-story building that would house locker rooms and football offices, among other things. In January 2011, Byrne announced that a new 5356 square feet (497.6 m²) video board would be installed above the south stands in time for the 2011 season. It is the third-largest video screen in college football.
Also under Byrne, another, more immediate and major change to the Wildcat football program occurred: eight-year head coach Mike Stoops
Mike Stoops
Michael J. Stoops is a former American football coach and former player. He was the head football coach at the University of Arizona, a position he held from 2003 until his firing in 2011. Stoops previously served as an assistant coach at the University of Iowa, Kansas State University, and the...
was relieved of his duties on Oct 10, 2011 after the Wildcats opened the season with a 1-5 record. Co-defensive coordinator Tim Kish
Tim Kish
-External links:*...
was named as interim head coach.
On November 21, 2011, Arizona announced the hiring of Rich Rodriguez
Rich Rodriguez
Richard A. "Rich" Rodriguez is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach at the University of Arizona. Rodriguez previously served as the head football coach at Salem University , Glenville State College , West Virginia University , and the University...
to replace Stoops. Rodriguez previously served as the head football coach at Salem University (1988), Glenville State College (1990–1996), West Virginia
West Virginia Mountaineers football
The West Virginia Mountaineers football team represents West Virginia University in the NCAA FBS division of college football. Dana Holgorsen is the team's 33rd head coach. He has held the position since he was promoted in June 2011 after the resignation of Bill Stewart. The Mountaineers play their...
(2001–2007), and the University of Michigan
Michigan Wolverines football
The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
(2008–2010); he was also assistant coach, offensive coordinator
Offensive coordinator
An offensive coordinator is a member of the coaching staff of a gridiron football team who is in charge of the offense. Generally, along with his defensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
, and quarterback coach for Tulane University
Tulane Green Wave football
The Tulane Green Wave football program is an NCAA Division I FBS football team that represents Tulane University in New Orleans. The team is a member of Conference USA and is led by interim head coach Mark Hutson, who took over on October 18, 2011, when fifth-year head coach Bob Toledo resigned...
(1997–1998) and Clemson University
Clemson Tigers football
The Clemson Tigers football team is an American football team from Clemson University in South Carolina. It competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
(1999–2000) (both under head coach Tommy Bowden
Tommy Bowden
Tommy Bowden is an American football coach who served as the head coach at Clemson University from 1999 until October 13, 2008...
).
Rodriguez' West Virginia teams played in (and won) three consecutive BCS
Bowl Championship Series
The Bowl Championship Series is a selection system that creates five bowl match-ups involving ten of the top ranked teams in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , including an opportunity for the top two to compete in the BCS National Championship Game.The BCS relies on a combination of...
bowl games. Rodriguez was an analyst for CBS Sports
CBS Sports
CBS Sports is a division of CBS Broadcasting which airs sporting events on the American television network. Its headquarters are in the CBS Building on West 52nd Street in midtown Manhattan, New York City, with programs produced out of Studio 43 at the CBS Broadcast Center on West 57th Street.CBS...
during the 2011 football season after a less-than-successful and disappointing tenure at Michigan. His hiring at Arizona was first announced by Greg Byrne on Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
while a press conference officially announcing him as the head coach was held a day later at McKale Center
McKale Center
McKale Memorial Center is an athletic arena located at 1756 E University Blvd on the campus of the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. It is primarily used for basketball, but also features state-of-the-art physical training and therapy facilities. Its construction is marked with a large...
in Tucson.
Rodriguez is considered one of the top offensive minds in the college football game (having coached high-scoring offenses led by quarterbacks such as Woodrow Dantzler
Woodrow Dantzler
Woodrow "Woody" Dantzler III is an American Football player who is currently a free agent. He attended Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School, in Orangeburg, South Carolina. Dantzler played College Football at Clemson University, where he played Quarterback...
and Pat White), and his hiring ended a 41-day search for a head coach initiated by Byrne. Former University of Florida
Florida Gators football
The Florida Gators football team represents the University of Florida in the sport of American football. The Florida Gators compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletics Association and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference...
head coach Urban Meyer
Urban Meyer
Urban Frank Meyer, III is an American football coach and former player. He is head football coach at Ohio State University, having been hired for the position in November 2011...
was approached by Byrne concerning the opening, but declined; it was widely speculated that Meyer would become the new head coach of Ohio State (and Meyer did officially accept that position a few days later). Former Texas Tech
Texas Tech Red Raiders football
Texas Tech Red Raiders football program is a college football team that represents Texas Tech University . The team competes, as a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
head coach Mike Leach
Mike Leach
Michael C. "Mike" Leach is head coach of the Washington State Cougars football team. For 10 years he was head coach of the Texas Tech Red Raiders football team. Leach had a winning season every year during his tenure at Texas Tech....
was reportedly also considered for the position.