GEORGIA STATE: Curry named interim AD by new president

Bill Curry, who was brought in to start Georgia State’s football program, was named Wednesday as interim athletics director at the university.

The 66-year-old Atlanta native and former Georgia Tech player and coach will take the position as the school searches for a permanent director. The process is expected to take six to eight weeks, he said.

Although the position will be short-term, Curry says he hopes the department will keep making progress.

“All I want to do is make sure we keep moving forward during the search, so that we don’t lose ground while we find our next athletic director,” he said. “I want to make sure we work together, we are cohesive and we are heading in the right direction with every sport.”

He was asked to take on the role by new university President Mark P. Becker, whose tenure began on Jan. 1.

“I’m pleased that Coach Curry is willing to serve in this crucial role at this very important time,” Becker said in a statement given to the media. “His experience in college athletics and his dedication to Georgia State [make] him the best person to take the helm of our program.”

The former athletics director, Mary McElroy, was fired Dec. 19. Former university President Carl Patton said the decision was a personnel issue.

Curry says he’ll touch base with McElroy, who hired him, about the athletics program.

“I’m sure I’ll talk to her from time to time from now on,” he said.

The job adds to a full plate for Curry. He hopes the interim stint won’t be long.

“The sooner the better because there is so much to do in the sport of football,” he said. “We have to raise funds to build a facility. We have to finish this recruiting class. We have to fill in the coaching staff. We have to continue to build our following in terms of our fan base. With all those things being part of my job, I think it would be impossible to try to do both.”

Though he applied for the Georgia Tech athletics director position three years ago, he says he has no interest in doing the same on a permanent basis for the Panthers.

“I came to Georgia State to be the football coach,” he said. “I have no aspirations to be the athletics director.”

Georgia State has hired Atlanta-based Parker Executive Search to help fill the position.