SMU Eyes Damon Evans as Next Athletic Director
Southern Methodist University (SMU) is reportedly in discussions to secure Damon Evans, the current athletic director at the University of Maryland, for its own AD position. Although no formal agreement has been reached yet, insiders anticipate that Evans will accept the role, taking over from Rick Hart, who played a pivotal part in SMU’s entry into the Atlantic Coast Conference last year.
Background on Damon Evans
Damon Evans has been a significant figure in college athletics since his tenure began at Maryland in 2014, and he has held the role of athletic director since 2018. Recently, he was selected to join the College Football Playoff selection committee, further underscoring his influential presence in the collegiate sports landscape. Prior to his appointment at Maryland, Evans was the athletic director at the University of Georgia.
Recent Developments at SMU
SMU is making notable changes in its leadership, recently appointing Jay Hartzell, formerly of Texas, as its new university president. Speculations arose regarding Hartzell’s attempts to recruit Texas athletics director Chris Del Conte, although Del Conte has dismissed these rumors.
Impact on Maryland Basketball
The timing of this potential transition is particularly consequential for Maryland, especially as there is ongoing conjecture about Villanova’s interest in its basketball coach, Kevin Willard. Under Willard’s guidance, the Terrapins achieved a second-place finish in the Big Ten and earned a No. 4 seed in the NCAA tournament. In a recent statement ahead of Maryland’s upcoming match against Grand Canyon, Willard remarked on Evans’s potential move to SMU and touched on the challenges posed by Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) agreements.
Future Considerations
Should Evans depart from Maryland, the question arises as to who would serve as interim athletic director and how this change might influence ongoing contract discussions with Willard. The future landscape of both institutions could shift dramatically depending on the outcome of these developments.
Coaching Changes in College Basketball
Following Villanova’s decision to part ways with Kyle Neptune after three seasons without an NCAA Tournament appearance, the college basketball coaching carousel continues to turn. Reports suggest that NC State is looking to recruit Will Wade while Darian DeVries from West Virginia is a contender for the position at Indiana.
