This week, Mike Bellotti will depart the post of athletic director, and on April 20, Lorraine Davis will step into the position on an interim basis.
Bellotti, who is the University’s winningest football coach with a record of 116-55, ended his tenure as head coach to become the University’s athletic director. He is leaving the position after nine months to become an ESPN college football analyst.
Meanwhile, Davis, a former University administrator, will fill in as interim athletic director as a national search for a permanent director takes place. University President Richard Lariviere appointed Davis to the position on a month-to-month basis.
Davis, who joined the University faculty in 1972, was the University’s first female vice president of academic affairs from 2001 to 2006. After retiring from full-time work in 2006, she maintained part-time employment with the University by overseeing the academic Support Services for Student-Athletes, which made her a regular face in the Casanova Center. Davis will also be the first female to head the athletic department.
“For many years, I’ve worked in varying roles to connect academics and athletics on campus, and I am willing to take on greater responsibility as interim AD,” Davis said in a University press release. “I appreciate the president’s confidence in my ability to contribute and lead the department and look forward to working closely with employees during this transitional period.”
Bellotti announced his resignation on March 19, after 36 years of coaching college football. His first game as an analyst will be on April 17 for Auburn’s spring football game on ESPNU.
During a press conference in which Bellotti announced his intentions to move on from the University’s athletic department, he insisted that his resignation had nothing to do with the recent controversies that the department has been facing, including the firing of head basketball coach Ernie Kent and the criminal convictions of several prominent football players, including quarterback Jeremiah Masoli and running back LaMichael James.
“I am really excited to join the best team in college football
broadcasting,” Bellotti said at the conference. “Working as an analyst for ESPN is a dream come true and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Head football coach Chip Kelly told ESPN that Bellotti’s new job will be positive for him.
“He’s really genuinely excited about the opportunity,” Kelly said. “I’m sad (in that) I had one of the best situations. When your AD actually understands what it’s like to be a football coach, it’s great.”
As Davis serves as interim athletic director, a committee of University administrators, coaches and staff will begin a national search for a permanent director. The committee will be headed by Vice President of Student Affairs Robin Holmes.
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