That certainly didn’t take long.
Tuesday, Eric Hyman surprised the college football world by announcing that he had “resigned” his position as the athletic director at Texas A&M. Three days later, and after reports suggested as such, A&M announced Hyman’s replacement: Scott Woodward, who held the same position at Washington since January of 2008.
This will mark Woodward’s second executive position in the SEC. From 2000-04, he served as the director of external affairs at LSU. The LSU chancellor at that time was Mark Emmert, the current president of the NCAA. Woodward “advised.... Emmert on policy and government appropriations,” the school wrote in its release.
“I am thrilled that Scott will lead the Texas A&M athletic department at an important time in the history of our school, as we continue to showcase our successes as one of the nation’s premier athletic programs,” A&M president Michael K. Young said in making the announcement. “I have great respect and admiration for his understanding of higher education and the role that athletics plays in an institution and community and the vital role it can play in preparing student athletes for success. His ability to work across multiple constituencies in a collaborative and thoughtful manner will certainly be an asset in this position. I am confident that under Scott’s leadership, working closely with our tremendous coaches and staff, that Texas A&M will continue to be among the most successful athletic programs in the nation.”
Just one day prior to stepping down, Hyman had offered a public endorsement of head football coach Kevin Sumlin, who has come under increasing fire in the past few months. With a new athletic director over him, Sumlin might just be on one of the warmest seats in the country when the 2016 season kicks off.