Kansas State Needs to Act This Weekend on New Athletic Director
By Stan Unruh
John Currie is back on Rocky Top. Kansas State must act quickly to replace the director of athletics who raised a lot of money for the Wildcats.
Like him or not, John Currie did a lot of good things for Kansas State.
Even so, many Wildcat fans are happy he’s heading back to Tennessee.
Since Kansas State University president Richard Myers announced a search committee, it’s time to get to work.
And guess what, this weekend is the perfect time for Myers to visit with one of the the top candidates for the job. Likewise, coach Bruce Weber might want to shake the candidate’s hand.
The Texas Tech basketball team plays in Manhattan on Saturday.
The Red Raiders’ Athletic Director just might be in town for the game.
If Kansas State alum Kirby Hocutt, the Tech AD is in town this weekend, somebody needs to visit with him about a return to Manhattan.
I know he’s a Texas native, but Hocutt bleeds purple.
As a matter of fact, he didn’t just played football for the Wildcats, he was a four-year letter winner.
Not only that, he led the conference in tackles his junior year, was named to the all-conference team and served as a team captain his senior year, according to the bio on the Tech website.
The University of Ohio hated to lose Hocutt as their director of Athletics when he moved on to Miami and Atlantic Coast Conference.
Texas Tech hired him away from Coral Gables in 2011. After three years in South Florida, Hocutt made the right decision to leave.
He has helped lead Tech’s $185M Campaign for Fearless Champions. Equally important, he hired four significant head coaches, including the current football and basketball coaches.
In addition, Hocutt is the current chairman of the College Football Playoff Selection Committee. Just imagine someone in purple with that title.
If it is difficult to recruit to Manhattan, Kansas, you know it is difficult to get top people to come to Lubbock, Texas.
Hocutt is already sold on living in Riley County. Someone at Kansas State needs to convince him to return.