DMN on the hire: New Article 1:50 PM

[CalallenStang]

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent ... c755f.html

SMU introduces new AD


01:50 PM CST on Friday, March 24, 2006
By CALVIN WATKINS / The Dallas Morning News



UNIVERSITY PARK – SMU introduced Steve Orsini as the school's new athletic director Friday.

He replaces Jim Copeland, who will retire May 31.

Length of contract and financial terms for Orsini were not made available.

Orsini, 49, who was unavailable for comment, leaves Central Florida, where he was athletic director since June 2002.

On Thursday afternoon, Orsini was introduced to several members of the SMU athletic department, including women's basketball coach Rhonda Rompola. Prior to that meeting, Orsini met with football coach Phil Bennett. Orsini spoke with Bennett again following Thursday's spring football practice

"He has the right combination of skills to continue moving SMU's athletics program forward," SMU president Gerald Turner said.

"In addition to his experience building an athletics program similar in size to ours, he brings a love of Dallas and business expertise that will help us build resources and fan support."

In February, Orsini was in the process of negotiating a new contract at UCF, but talks stalled.

That same month, Copeland announced that he was retiring.

SMU used the Plano-based search firm of Eastman and Beaudine to help Turner in the hiring process. SMU had a pool of 34 candidates to choose from and paired it down to 17 before five interviewed with Turner.

SMU senior associate athletic directors Carlton Cooper and Scott Secules expressed interest in the position and were told to send resumes and letters of recommendation to Eastman and Beaudine. Cooper and Secules were not interviewed.

The 15-member search committee met only twice and didn't interview any candidates. The search committee met Orsini on Thursday and agreed to hire him on the recommendation of Turner.

"I'm excited about the guy," said Gerald Ford, a prominent SMU booster and a member of the search committee. "He's a successful guy, and that's what I like about him."

In his brief tenure at UCF, Orsini increased the athletic budget by 70 percent. He also helped the school move from the Atlantic Sun Conference to Conference USA. Six UCF teams advanced to NCAA postseason play in 2004-05.

Orsini oversaw major facility additions and renovations at UCF, with the biggest a new on-campus football stadium.

Orsini's Dallas ties come from working for the Cowboys from 1984 to 1993. He was hired by Tex Schramm as the ticket manager and eventually was promoted to director of administration.

"I've known [Orsini] for a while, and I really think he's a terrific administrator," C-USA commissioner Britton Banowsky said. "What he did at UCF is set a vision, and I'm sure he will do the same for SMU. It's a great fit, and he's a proven leader. SMU is lucky to have him."

E-mail [email protected]

[jtstang]

What significance that he was not introduced to Jummy Tubbs prior to his hiring?

[Bergermeister]

Couldn't make it. It was his turn to buy lunch.

[DickerJames]

Couldn't make it. It was his turn to buy lunch.

Ha! I guess Gramps quit giving him lunch money.

[PonyPride]

What significance that he was not introduced to Jummy Tubbs prior to his hiring?

Actually, he was out recruiting. Coach Tubbs met Orsini after the press conference.

[abezontar]

Maybe he was buying Arthur a few meals.....I know, I know inappropriate, but kinda funny.

[MFFL02]

I am pretty sure it would take Tubbs a little bit more than a few nice dinners at the Mansion to get Arthur to come here...but who knows. Maybe after watching George Mason, he might be interested in coming to a mid-major school with no recent success in post-season play.

[abezontar]

If he is serious about being one and done then maybe he should be looking at school's like SMU, if he can transform them into a competitive team just with his presence, and he could do that as weak as CUSA is outside of Memphis, then the entire season could be one non-stop highlight reel. He would always have the ball, and when we played a good team, he would be able to showcase how amazing his skills are by being able to carry our team. If in fact he is as good as advertised.


What if that was the case though, say Tubbs was given money not only to take out a kid, but also a few guys we are after, does that make the violation more serious?