A day after reports surfaced that he had been offered the same position at Texas Tech, University of Miami Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt officially tendered his resignation Friday afternoon.
It is believed to be the first ever instance of someone voluntarily relocating to the barren plains of North Texas from the idyllic paradise of South Florida.
UM President Donna Shalala said in a statement this afternoon that she is "deeply disappointed" by the decision, adding, "We did everything we could to convince him to stay."
Hocutt was hired in 2008 to replace the retiring Paul Dee.
Although he only spent 2 1/2 years at Miami, Hocutt left his mark on the program.
A few months ago, Hocutt took a chance on new football coach Al Golden, another youthful and ambitious personality, after firing former coach and UM alumnus Randy Shannon in November. Though the move puzzled Hurricanes fans at first, many seem to have come around on Golden, who has also received support from former Miami players.
That move is even easier to understand now because Hocutt won't face any consequences should Golden fall flat on his face.
Local
Hocutt also helped secure the largest gift in Miami's athletic history late last year, a $5 million donation from the Ted & Todd Schwartz Family Foundation, to help provide a new academic center for members of Hurricane sports teams, a larger sports medicine facility, a new football locker room and a gallery of champions.
But apparently Hocutt's heart lay outside of South Florida.
He grew up in Texas, played college football in the Big 12 at Kansas State, and apprenticed as associate AD at the University of Oklahoma.
"As a former student-athlete and administrator I am very familiar with the Big 12 Conference and look forward to returning to my home state of Texas," Hocutt said in t a statement.
The question at Miami is now who will replace Hocutt.
David Hill is a Miami native who spent most of his childhood at the Orange Bowl.
