What colleagues are saying about new Tennessee AD John Currie
New University of Tennessee athletic director John Currie will be formally introduced to the public Thursday at 4:30 p.m. during a ceremony at Thompson-Boling Arena.
UT Chancellor Beverly Davenport announced Currie’s hiring on Tuesday. Currie, 45, spent the last eight years at Kansas State. He replaces Dave Hart, who announced his retirement last August. Currie begins work at UT on April 1.
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The UT athletic department released comments about Currie on Thursday morning from Currie's colleagues, coaches and players he's worked with and associates.
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey
"John Currie has been incredibly effective as an athletics director and I am pleased he is bringing his leadership skills back to the SEC. He is an accomplished athletics administrator and the University of Tennessee will benefit from the experience and enthusiasm he will bring to the position."
Kansas State University President Richard Myers
"John provided tremendous leadership for Kansas State University and worked tirelessly to create a world-class experience for our student-athletes and fans. Our athletics program has become one of the most financially solvent in the country during John’s tenure. He initiated $210 million in comprehensive facility improvements, including a new basketball training facility, expansion and renovation of the football stadium and more. All this was privately funded with no state tax or university tuition dollars."
Kansas State University rowing coach Pat Sweeney
"If anybody in the future ever questions you (John) on world-class student-athlete experience, just send them our way… We’ll back you all the way on that one."
Kansas State University volleyball coach Suzie Fritz
"K-State Athletics has experienced a great deal of growth and success over the past eight years since John was hired as our athletics director. He cares deeply about all of our student-athletes and providing us as coaches the resources to be successful at the highest level."
2012 Heisman Trophy finalist, Kansas State football assistant coach Collin Klein
"John worked incredibly hard on improving the well-being of our student athletes. He would always have a word of wisdom about something we needed to be planning ahead for to better ourselves. I am very thankful for his friendship and everything he has done for K-State."
Former Kansas State University men's basketball student-athlete, current Miami Heat guard Rodney McGruder
"John did many great things for the university as well for me personally. He made tough decisions but the right ones to help advance the university and our athletics program. In 2013, we won conference championships in three different sports under his guidance. He was able to lead our university to success in athletics all while being a family man and a mentor to student-athletes. Even after I graduated he has kept in contact and has shown support for me each season by attending games and contributing to my personal growth. He is someone I know I will always will always consider a mentor and a friend."
Former University of Texas men's athletics director DeLoss Dodds
"John is the best of the best. He is the best young professional out there. I have watched him since he was at Kansas State. I am so proud of what he did there with the facilities and staff, etc. He has just done a terrific job."
"John is a good football guy and just knows Tennessee. He was a terrific hire for the University. He has a wonderful wife and family."
Washington State University President Kirk Schulz
"John Currie did an outstanding job at elevating the athletics program during his time at K-State. Under his leadership, Wildcat Athletics significantly enhanced facilities, won conference championships, set records for private giving and helped positively brand Kansas State University."
University of Oklahoma Vice President and Director of Athletics Joseph R. Castiglione
"Just a spectacular hire by Chancellor Davenport, the search committee and all those involved in the process. I've known John and Mary Lawrence Currie since his days at Tennessee and enjoyed an even stronger relationship working with him the past eight years in the Big 12 Conference. I know first-hand how passionate and committed John is about creating the best student-athlete experience possible and that will positively impact the success of the Tennessee Athletic Program. He's a very bright and engaging leader and will hit the ground running. I couldn't be more thrilled for John and the Vol Nation to see them reunited."
Manhattan Convention & Visitors Bureau Vice President Karen Hibbard
"Under your leadership, Kansas State has grown tremendously. The community of Manhattan has also grown and changed with the one constant being the color of purple. Manhattan, Kansas State and the entire state of Kansas will be forever appreciative of your efforts. Thank you for your years of investment in Manhattan."