John Currie created a mixed legacy during his time at Kansas State. He spent nearly a decade as the athletic director at the university. He helped to bring in money for the school, but saw the team's major athletic programs struggle during his stint in charge. His time at the school is coming to an end, though, as he is poised to take the same position at the University of Tennessee.
Moving on to Tennessee
Tennessee announced the hiring of Currie in an official statement on Tuesday. An introductory press conference for the new athletic director is planned for this Thursday.
His hire was made by Tennessee chancellor Beverly Davenport, who was hired by the school just two weeks ago after serving as the University of Cincinnati's interim president.
The pull to move to Tennessee was strong for Currie. He worked for the school from 1997 to 2009 after earning a master's degree. Marketing and ticket operations were just some of the jobs he picked up before he became the athletic director at Kansas State. Now, he'll have the opportunity to revive an institution he once called his own.
Onward and upward
For the past six years, Currie has helped generate a surplus in the Kansas State athletics budget. The school projected a $4.4 million budget increase for the 2016 fiscal year.
Meanwhile, the football program has seen an era of stability, led by coach Bill Snyder. The basketball team has been on shakier ground following the dismissal of Frank Martin in favor of Bruce Weber in 2012.
At Tennessee, Currie will inherit an athletics program with significantly more capital, but that has also seen performance struggles over recent years.
Even the school's most dominant program, the women's basketball team, has fallen on hard times. The former Kansas State athletic director will try to turn things around when he officially takes over for the retiring Dave Hart on April 1, 2017.
Tennessee passed on other candidates for the job, including legendary football coach Philip Fullmer and Chattanooga athletic director David Blackburn.
