ASU’s Steve Patterson Named Next Longhorns AD

University of Texas has zeroed in on Steve Patterson for its new men's Athletic Director (AD). Patterson, who is currently the AD at Arizona State since 2012, will most likely begin his role at the university later this fall. The appointment requires a final nod from the Texas System Board of Regents, which is scheduled to meet Nov. 12 and 13.

Patterson, 55, will be replacing DeLoss Dodds at Texas who has held the position for the last 32 years. While the Arizona State finds a replacement for Patterson, James Rund will serve as the school's interim AD.

Apart from Arizona State, Patterson has held various senior positions with the NFL's Houston Texans (1997-2003), the NBA's Houston Rockets (1989-93) and Portland Trail Blazers (2003-07) and the Houston Aeros hockey team. He also served as president of Pro Sports Consulting.

Patterson earned a bachelor's degree in business and a law degree from UT Austin.

"Steve Patterson emerged as the perfect candidate to build on Texas' athletic success and DeLoss Dodds' legacy," Texas president Bill Powers said in an official statement. "Steve helped build an NBA championship team and brought the Super Bowl game to Houston. Far more important, he's run a winning program at Arizona State that places students first and is committed to their lifelong success."

According to Sports Illustrated, Patterson will be receiving a multiyear deal at Texas starting around $1.4 million per year.

Commenting on Patterson's new appointment, ASU President Michael Crow said that Patterson leaving his current job as Vice President for Athletics after less than two years will not "slow our forward progress in the least. ASU will be attractive to a wide range of candidates across the country."

Patterson "has positioned Sun Devil Athletics to continue its forward momentum well into the future. He first became involved with ASU three years ago to put the university's athletic department on a sound financial footing and that is exactly what he has done. I well understand his desire to return to his home state and wish him well at the University of Texas," Crow told USA today.