Arizona athletic director Heeke out after 7 years
Jan 22, 2024, 07:46 PM ET TUCSON, Ariz.– Arizona athletic director Dave Heeke is out after seven years amidst monetary troubles in the lead-up to the school’s move to the Big 12 Conference.The school revealed
Monday a”transition in the leadership”in the department. Heeke will be out Feb. 2 and former Wildcats softball coach Mike Candrea will serve as interim advertisement. “I wish to thank Dave for his exceptional efforts in leading our athletics program through a duration of considerable modification, “University of Arizona president Robert C. Robbins said in a declaration.”He assisted get our males’s and ladies’s basketball programs and our football program on a strong trajectory, oversaw the success of several of our sports groups and significantly enhanced the student-athlete experience. Dave constantly showed the greatest stability, and I appreciate of his partnership and commitment.”The move from Heeke comes as Arizona tries to support a financial crisis created in part by the COVID-19 pandemic.Editor’s Picks Heeke revealed a strategy last Thursday to assist the school recuperate from a university-wide $240 million mistake of projected cash on hand. The plan consists of employing freezes and a time out on all major building and construction projects with the athletic department still on the hook to pay back a $55 million loan issued during the pandemic.Heeke showed up in
Tucson after working as the athletic director at Central Michigan, and his departure was revealed six days after employing Brent Brennan as Arizona’s head football coach. Heeke also hired Jedd Fisch, who led a turn-around in the football program before leaving for Washington, and basketball coach Tommy Lloyd, the 2022 national coach of the year.There was talk about of possible contract extension for Fisch, but it wasn’t completed.” It has been my honor and opportunity to have served the
University of Arizona for the last 7 years,” Heeke said in a declaration.” Tucson and the whole Wildcat Nation are remarkable neighborhoods that Liz and I have actually accepted with our hearts. I wish to thank President Robbins, our gifted coaches, dedicated personnel, and faithful advocates for their partnership on this journey. “Candrea stepped down as the winningest coach in NCAA softball history in 2021 after leading the Wildcats to eight national championships during his 36-year tenure.