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Texas A&M hires AD Ross Bjork away from Ole Miss

May 23, 2019
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Ross Bjork, who has served as Ole Miss athletic director since 2012, is leaving Oxford to accept the Texas A&M AD position. Ben Baby of the Dallas Morning News first reported the story and TexAgs’ Billy Liucci confirmed that Bjork’s contract has been finalized. Bjork will replace Scott Woodward, who last month resigned as A&M athletic director to take the same position at LSU.

Terms of Bjork’s agreement with A&M are not available, but he earned a $700,000 annual salary at Ole Miss.

“I am so honored to accept this position and look forward to greeting coaches, staff and the entire 12th Man,” Bjork said in a statement released by A&M late Thursday evening. “I remember visits to Kyle Field even before its massive renovation, being enthralled with the whole environment.”

Bjork, 46, previously served as athletic director at Western Kentucky from 2010-12. Prior to that he worked as senior associate athletic director at UCLA, associate athletic director at Miami, and assistant athletic director at Missouri.

Bjork has a reputation as a proficient fund raiser and led Ole Miss through the construction or renovation of several significant athletics facilities.

Under Bjork, the $94.5 million Paviilion at Ole Miss basketball arena opened in 2016. The Rebels also made $65 million in renovations to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. The upgrades include renovated suites, new video boards and entry plazas, new lights and improved sound systems and a 4,000 seat increase in capacity. Improvements were also made to the tennis facility and baseball stadium.

During Bjork’s tenure, Ole Miss played in New Year’s Six bowl games twice, made three NCAA basketball tournament appearances and reached the College World Series in baseball. In explaining his decision to make the move to A&M, Bjork highlighted the university’s tradition and championship goals.

“I love leadership lessons, especially in military history; The Corps of Cadets – the ‘Keepers of the Spirit’ – are also a wonderful draw to the university,” Bjork noted. “I will always aspire to live up to the core values that the university holds dear, and to compete for and win championships.”

Two years ago Bjork was reportedly pursued for the athletic director position at Nebraska, but said he was not interested.

“I'm committed here. I'm committed to the University of Mississippi, Ole Miss athletics,” Bjork told the Jackson Clarion-Ledger at that time. "We have a lot of work to do and we're going to see that work get completed. I know we have challenges, but there's more opportunities than challenges and we're going to seize on those opportunities.”

During Bjork’s tenure, Ole Miss played in New Year’s Six bowl games twice, made three NCAA basketball tournament appearances and reached the College World Series in baseball.

Nebraska eventually hired Bill Moos from Washington State.

Though Bjork had a good measure of success at Ole Miss, his tenure was not without some controversy.

The Ole Miss football program was placed on probation in 2017 and received a two-year bowl ban for providing impermissible benefits to players and recruits under former coach Hugh Freeze, who was eventually fired in 2016 for violating a morals claus in his contract.

Bjork did not hire Freeze.

Bjork is a graduate of Emporia State University where he played fullback from 1991-94. He also earned a Master’s Degree from Western Illinois in 1996.

“I am thrilled to welcome Ross Bjork to Aggieland,” Texas A&M President Michael K. Young said in the statement. “His outstanding reputation as a leader will be vital to the continued trajectory of our athletics program.”

Note: Updated to include official statements from Ross Bjork and Texas A&M President Michael Young.

Discussion from...

Texas A&M hires AD Ross Bjork away from Ole Miss

38,055 Views | 62 Replies | Last: 4 yr ago by 85AustinAg
Emilio Fantastico
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AWP 97 said:

I don't know anything about this guy other than what I just read, but I'll admit that it scares me to take anything from Ole Miss except maybe the virginity of one of their sorority girls. However, it makes me wonder how many AD hires would have made most Aggies happy. How many of us truly know how to analyze the Resume of an AD?

"it scares me to take anything from Ole Miss except maybe the virginity of one of their sorority girls."

DOES NOT COMPUTE!


"How many of us truly know how to analyze the Resume of an AD?"

ZERO, ZIP, NADA
Caesar4
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Wow. Tough crowd.

Welcome to Aggieland Mr. Bjork.
DUman08
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Let the **** show begin.
Meximan
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Keep complaining and you'll meet an army of him.
The Chicken Ranch
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What an underwhelming hire.
Tamu_mgm
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VA_Ag94 said:

Great, we'll be on probation in 2 years. Can't wait!
Says someone who didn't read the article. He had nothing to do with Hugh Freeze being hired or him breaking the rules significantly.

My first reaction was to be very underwhelmed. However, Michael Young and Jimbo must know what they're doing based on previous ADs they've worked with, so I'll trust their judgement over some fans' reaction.
technoviking
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To recap: A few weeks ago we were crying because Woodward left and speculation was that Jimbo would follow him.

Then it's reported that jimbo is assisting in the AD search, presumably to get someone he wants and would stick around for. We hire that guy and now we're crying about the hire.

Never change texags!
agcrock2005
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Bill Superman
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He more than doubled the revenue of the athletic department at ole miss during his tenure

Nothing else matters here folks
Jarrin' Jay
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He could end up being he best AD we've ever had, who knows. IMHO it is ridiculous to make comments like "uninspiring hire" or "underwhelmed" over an administrator. Most didn't even know the name Scott Woodward before he was hired?????


I like his resume, and we should at least wait until he does all the intro. pressers, TexAgs studio visit, news pieces, etc., etc. before we comment.


If he just shows up to work and can breathe he will be better than that SOB Hyman or Groff....
Definitely Not A Cop
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Bill Superman said:


He more than doubled the revenue of the athletic department at ole miss during his tenure

Nothing else matters here folks


As the most profitable program in college football and top 10 in total revenue, this was a huge area of concern for me.
OldShadeOfBlue
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Did we just hire Toby from the Office?
OldShadeOfBlue
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So he hired Hugh Freeze, who turned Ole Miss into a pretty damn good football team compared to the dumpster fire it was. It was Hugh who also brought the sanctions onto it's program. When hired at Ole Miss he was the youngest of all ADs in D1 so he seems to be an up and comer. I'm not sure what to think of this hire but he's our guy and I'll support him until he gives me a reason not to.
technoviking
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OldShadeOfBlue said:

So he hired Hugh Freeze, who turned Ole Miss into a pretty damn good football team compared to the dumpster fire it was. It was Hugh who also brought the sanctions onto it's program. When hired at Ole Miss he was the youngest of all ADs in D1 so he seems to be an up and comer. I'm not sure what to think of this hire but he's our guy and I'll support him until he gives me a reason not to.


He did not hire Freeze. That's in the article.
RGLAG85
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AWP 97 said:

I don't know anything about this guy other than what I just read, but I'll admit that it scares me to take anything from Ole Miss except maybe the virginity of one of their sorority girls. However, it makes me wonder how many AD hires would have made most Aggies happy. How many of us truly know how to analyze the Resume of an AD?
Absolutely zero...nada! The "I know nothing" *****ers are going to run and complain first.
Frank Grimes
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Buford T. Justice said:

This is a complete failure for TAMU. We've hired the Douglass C. Neidermeyer of collegiate athletics to be our AD. He's running away from the pile of garbage that remains at Ole' Miss, and we are going to pay him millions. Way to go A&M. Way to go.


The Maestro?
GeorgiAg
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I will reserve judgment until I know more about him other than he used to a be the female lead in an Icelandic band
CrottyKid
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SECTAMU#1
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Unfortunately, $2 million wasn't enough for Rob Mullens to put up with John Sharp. My guess is too many good ADs don't need Sharp butting into their work.

This is what we get.
redjalapeno-87
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The important question is what is this new regime's policy on the price of chicken wraps?
Emilio Fantastico
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The most astounding thing in all the threads on here about the new AD is that I have not seen one instance where someone has used the word "higher" for "hire".

That has to be a record for Texags.
aeon-ag
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JT said:

bjork? definitely a downgrade from woodward.

hope this isn't our swan song.
Looks as if we're playing musical AD's. Why in the hell does A&M have to hire junk. President's, Athletic Directors, coaches of all sports? Who makes these off the wall decisions??!!
Emilio Fantastico
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Add Levy to your list and you have your answer.
BIKERFOX
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I'm gonna pass on this shlobber knocker.
Showstopper
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Great. We get the genius that hired Matt Luke.
bobwhite
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If Jimbo is OK with it, I am OK with it!
BTHO SEC!!!
85AustinAg
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Quote:

To recap: A few weeks ago we were crying because Woodward left and speculation was that Jimbo would follow him.

Then it's reported that jimbo is assisting in the AD search, presumably to get someone he wants and would stick around for. We hire that guy and now we're crying about the hire.

Never change texags!

Amen. Nobody knew anything about Woodward when he was hired. In fact there was a lot of handwringing because of his UW basketball coach hire.
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