University of Alabama TROY, Ala. - Troy University officials will begin the process of searching for a new Director of Athletics immediately following the resignation of Johnny Williams on Wednesday.
Williams, who served as the Trojans' Director of Athletics for more than a decade, will join the Alabama staff as Senior Associate Director of Athletics.
Johnny Williams' leadership has been instrumental in Troy University's successful move to Division I-A athletics,” Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor of Troy University, said. From the very beginning of this process, Johnny believed TROY could make this major step and his positive attitude made the difference at many points on this journey.
On a personal note, I appreciate that Johnny Williams always kept the Division I-A move in perspective as an advancement move for the entire university. We will miss his leadership, but we wish him nothing but the best in his new position.”
Williams spent almost 20 years on the Troy campus, starting in 1985 as a graduate assistant football coach. He moved from there to a full-time coaching position on the staff, and then to defensive coordinator.
While still a member of the football coaching staff, Williams held several other administrative positions on the staff. At different times he did everything from coordinating team travel and ticket sales to marketing and development.
Williams was named Director of Athletics on April 25, 1994, and a list of his accomplishments while in that role indicates the type of progressive leader he was for the program.
Moved the athletics program from Division II, through Division I-AA, and into Division I-A.
Spearheaded the push to unite all Troy sports under one conference umbrella. The entire Troy program will compete in the Sun Belt Conference beginning with the 2005-06 school year.
Led an Athletics Facility Campaign that raised more than $24 million.
Negotiated a contract with Movie Gallery, Inc., for football stadium naming rights.
Led the football stadium expansion project that increased the stadium to 30,000 seats, added 27 luxury suites and a six-story pressbox structure that will soon house the Troy Strength & Conditioning program, the Athletics Training program, Academic Services and Media Relations.
Led a $2 million facility improvement project at Trojan Arena, a $1.5 million renovation of Davis Field House, completed construction of a $600,000 softball complex as well as an $800,000 tennis complex. Oversaw more than $2 million worth of renovations to Riddle-Pace Field and the $1 million project to build a new track and soccer complex.
Led negotiations for progressive television rights contracts that provides Troy four televised games per year on ESPN-Plus in addition to at least two national appearances on ESPN or ESPN2 - the first of which was played earlier this season when the Trojans defeated Missouri. Johnny has been the driving force in all of the development we have had over the last 10 years,” head football coach Larry Blakeney said. He has worked with the administration and Board of Trustees to get so many things accomplished and he taught us all about what this job entails, and he was never afraid to pick up the phone to get something done.
He has made a lot of things happen for this athletic program and we will forever be indebted to him for that. I wish him nothing but the best.”
A search committee to find a new Director of Athletics at Troy has been selected by Dr. Hawkins. The committee will be chaired by Dr. Douglas C. Patterson, Senor Vice Chancellor for Administration at Troy University. Committee members will include:
Mr. Joe Malugen, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Movie Gallery, and a member of the Troy University Foundation Board
Mr. Dan Shoemaker, General Manager of ESPN Regional Television
Mr. Ben Beard, President of Beard Oil in Troy
Mr. Edgar Welden, Birmingham Athletic Partnership and member of the Troy University Foundation Board
Mr. Allen Owen, Chair of the Athletic Policy Committee of the Troy University Board of Trustees
Dr. Cam Martindale, Senior Vice Chancellor for Advancement and External Relations Mr. Wright Waters, Commissioner of the Sun Belt Conference, will serve in an advisory role for the committee. The goal is to have a new Director of Athletics in place at Troy University by February 1, 2005.
An Interim Director of Athletics has not yet been selected.
Johnny Williams has done an outstanding job as Director of Athletics for Troy University, building a Division II program into a competitive Division I program in all our intercollegiate sports,” Dr. Hawkins said.
We see this move as a tribute to our University and athletics program as a whole as well as a tribute to Johnny Williams. We are looking to build on the foundation that Mr. Williams, and many others, have created as we seek a new leader for our athletics programs.”
The University has put together a Profile of Expectations” that it will use in the search for a new Director of Athletics. The profile states, in part, that Troy University seeks an athletics director who is innovative, creative and has a track record for resource development in athletics. In addition to the traditional knowledge and experience that would be expected of an A.D., this individual must have a keen understanding of what it takes to manage and direct an evolving Division IA athletics program and, therefore, must possess the following traits, skills and understandings:
At least in part, the positive development of the Troy University athletics program has been due to the long term commitment of the Board of Trustees, the administration and the Director of Athletics. Moving from a Division II program to a Division IA program is a long-term proposition - at least 20 years. Troy University is 12 years into the process, and for most of that 12 years there has been continuity in Board members, the Chancellor, other key administrators and the Director of Athletics. In short, Troy University is looking for an A.D. for the long term - someone who can complete the development process and create a highly respected Division IA athletics program.
Future growth of the program depends on the Director of Athletics' ability to stimulate traditional revenue sources (game guarantees, ticket sales, etc.) and an ability to develop innovative and dynamic means of generating other revenue sources (major private gifts, corporate sponsorships and partnerships, and other unique development opportunities).
The ability to work as a team member both with the administration and with the coaches is essential. The Director of Athletics must have a solid sense of direction and sound vision, but must also remain flexible and work within the realities that exist in an evolving Division IA program.
The Director of Athletics must possess the ability to communicate effectively with the public and to represent the university in a variety of public settings.
The ability to work with all forms of media and to find innovative methods and partnerships to present Troy University sports across a broad range of media outlets is a necessary skill set. In particular, there should be demonstrated experience in the use of television for maximum exposure for the athletics program and the university.
In view of the advancement plans of the university, the Director of Athletics must have an understanding of athletics as a major tool for the advancement and development of the entire university.
The Director of Athletics must have a broad range of contacts and relationships throughout the national collegiate athletics community and, in particular, those contacts and relationships that would facilitate scheduling well known, high profile opponents.
The ability of the Director of Athletics to function in the Troy University environment requires a special personality that on the one hand is easy going and comfortable - compatible with a variety of people at different levels on the socioeconomic ladder. However, on the other hand, the personality of this individual must accommodate the ability to communicate a great vision and the passion to carry out that vision.
