Copeland Staying

[PonyPride]

Copeland drops out of running for Kentucky job

AD likes progress he sees on the Hilltop
By KEITH WHITMIRE / The Dallas Morning News

SMU athletic director Jim Copeland, one of three finalists for the same position at Kentucky, withdrew his name from consideration Friday.

Copeland interviewed with Kentucky's search committee Wednesday. Kentucky has not released the names of the finalists, but when contacted, Copeland said he was no longer interested in the position.

Copeland is on vacation and is not expected to return to work until July 22. In a statement issued Friday, Copeland said he was "flattered" by Kentucky's interest.

"However, I am very pleased with my position at SMU and believe that our program is moving in the right direction," Copeland said. "We have made great strides at SMU."

Kentucky has called a meeting of its athletics board, which is regarding a recommendation for the AD job, for Monday. A news conference will follow.

In January, SMU unveiled an athletics fund-raising master plan called "The Commitment." Under the plan, the university will provide more than $50 million over the next five years to pay for scholarships and operational support. Copeland is charged with raising an additional $20 million over those five years.

Copeland has been at SMU since 1995. In September of 2000, he withdrew from consideration for the AD job at North Carolina State after meeting with that school's chancellor. Kentucky has been looking for a new AD since Larry Ivy resigned in March.

[GrapevineMustang]

That is great news. Copeland is a great athletic director, and as much as we'd all like to see things improve, let's remember where the program was when he took over. He's a huge asset to the athletic program and the university, and it's a good thing we're keeping him.

[Guest]

There were whispers a couple of years ago that Copeland was on the short list at Florida State when the FSU AD left. And now he's been on the short list at N.C. State and at Kentucky. Is he that good, or is he "withdrawing from consideration" when it becomes clear they're choosing another candidate?

[PerunaPunch]

In every contact I've made with Copeland in the last couple of years, he's represented the university with absolute class. Just being invited to those peach positions says a lot about the man.

IMHO, he's that good. Just look at how far we've come in a few years. Remember, champions aren't built overnight.