Texas Name Mike Perrin New Men's Athletics Director

After a few months on the job as the University of Texas men’s athletic’s director, Mike Perrin is getting a promotion.

After serving in an interim role since September, Perrin will officially take over the position through the 2017-2018 school year announced University of Texas president Gregory Fenves Thursday.

“Since Mike became interim AD, he has proved to be a resourceful and valuable asset to the athletics department, improving relationships with our fans and alumni,” Fenves said in a press release.

One example of Perrin’s work as interim is the 15-year apparel deal that UT signed with Nike in October, which is expected to be the most lucrative in college sports.

Fenves said that Perrin’s experience as a student-athlete at UT and as a practicing lawyer make him a strong fit for the job. Perrin was a football letterman for Texas in the 60s under Darrell Royal, earning a degree in mathematics and a law degree from the university. He played linebacker. After UT, Perrin spent his professional life practicing law in Houston before returning to Austin this year as interim athletic’s director.

The previous athletic’s director, Steve Patterson, was fired after just 22 months with the university. He became unpopular at the university after raising ticket prices.

Perrin says the next step as athletic director is to continue to support coaches and student athletes at the university.

“I am already working closely with coaches in all sports to provide the support they need to win on the field and prepare their students for life off the field,” Perrin said in the press release. “And I have been humbled and overwhelmed by the backing I’ve received from alumni, faculty and fans.”

[Photo courtesy of UT Athletics]