Southern Mississippi is looking for a new athletic director.
University President Rodney Bennett announced on Wednesday morning in Hattiesburg, Miss., that the one-year contract for Jeff Hammond will not be renewed after it expires on June 30.
Hammond, a former Army major general who played quarterback for the Golden Eagles in the 1970s, made several important decisions during his tenure, including firing football coach Ellis Johnson after one disastrous season that ended with an 0-12 record.
He also hired basketball coach Donnie Tyndall, who won 27 games in his first season.
But Bennett, who started his tenure as president in April, said he wanted new leadership in athletics.
“It is important to me to hire my own executive staff in certain high-profile areas and assemble my own leadership team,” Bennett said. “Nonetheless, there is a place for General Hammond in my administration, and I have extended an opportunity for him to continue to serve USM in other areas. I am hopeful that he will accept my offer.”
Hammond also had to deal with an athletic department that was $1.2 million in debt. He sold a home football game back to Nebraska in 2012 and scheduled a road game against Arkansas that includes a hefty payout for the upcoming season in an effort to generate more funds.
