Tennessee Introduces John Currie as New Athletic Director

The University of Tennessee introduced John Currie as their new athletic director on Thursday.
Currie spent eight years as the athletic director at Kansas State before taking the Tennessee job.
Here’s some excerpts from Thursday’s press conference.
Said UT Chancellor Dr Beverly J. Davenport:”The best person for Tennessee — and we believe, we truly believe, we found someone who meets all of those criteria that we were looking for — that person is John Currie. I want to say a few things about John Currie. When I first talked to John Currie, we had an instant connection. I asked him a lot of questions, and he can keep right up with me. I talk pretty fast. My first impression: he’s honest, he’s transparent, he’s high-energy, he’s pretty intense. He has a strong history with the University of Tennessee and Tennessee Athletics. He’s worked in some tough situations. We talked about the tough situations that we had both faced, and he thrived in that role. I asked him, `How strong are you? Do you have a backbone?’ He does. He’s not afraid of a challenge. He’s a man who possess strong leadership skills. So, I flew out to Manhattan, Kansas. I met his family, sat down at the kitchen table. We sat at the kitchen table, and (his kids) had gone off to school. I’m sorry, John, but I think it was your mother that really put you over the goal line. John picks me up at the airport and he had in his front seat the state of Tennessee. And what does it say? `I will give my all for Tennessee today.’ I said, `Funny, John. Did you happen to see my tweet?’ By all means, we are going to give our all for Tennessee, and I love that, John. I love that sense of humor. He served me out of a Tennessee glass. He had orange all over his house, and I said, `Wow! Here’s a guy who loves Tennessee.’ It was a great meeting, and it reassured me that we had found the right person.”
Said Currie:”This is an unbelievable day for the Currie family. This morning, when I walked into the building, (Administrative Assistant) Rita, (Wilson) handed me a letter from Dr. (Joe) Johnson, welcoming me here. To think that I’m standing right here, basically in the same place, that he handed me my diploma, 15 years ago, that’s pretty cool. Dr. Davenport called me on Monday afternoon. We had a great conversation. Of course, I already knew about her vision, her reputation for vision and energy and her strong leadership. We all know how incredibly complex a Chancellor’s position is. For her to drop everything, just a week into her job, to fly out to Manhattan, Kansas, shows me that she gets it, and that she is committed to the Tennessee athletics program achieving at the highest level. We had a fantastic visit in our kitchen, as she mentioned, with my wife Mary Lawrence. My mom was there too, but not for the whole conversation. But, she was there. The Chancellor pulled out that piece of paper after a few hours, and all I could think about was Maxim No. 2, Mr. (Jimmy) Haslam. `Play for, and make the breaks. When one comes your way, score.’ So, I pulled out that pen and signed that piece of paper, real fast. Thank you, Chancellor, for your trust in me. I’m also honored to be here with Dr. (Joe) DiPietro. As an alumnus, I’m proud of the tremendous growth across the system under his leadership. The Chancellor mentioned Dave Hart, and Tuesday afternoon, I had a wonderful conversation with Dave Hart. Throughout my 24 years in college athletics, he’s been someone I’ve followed and looked up to. I’m grateful for his hard work for Tennessee. He was down with our women’s basketball team, today, in Greenville, (South Carolina). Being here, in this building, in this spot, brings back so many special memories, like my first `Third Saturday in October,’ when Coach (Phillip) Fulmer led us to victory at Legion Field, extending our streak in that great rivalry. One of the many magical moments in that decade of dominance, as Coach (Phillip) Fulmer gave us the greatest run, in the modern era, of Tennessee Football. I remember watching those Lady Vols banners go up, and when we named this court, in honor of the greatest basketball coach of all, Pat Summitt. Coach (Rick) Barnes, I apologize, but I remember Chris Lofton hitting that 35-footer over Kevin Durant, back in ’07, ’06, or whatever it is. I’m glad you’re on our side, now, and after you beat my team a couple of weeks ago, I’m glad I’m on your side, now. Talking to Karen and Ralph Weekly this morning, brings back memories of Monica Abbott mowing (opponents) down. Of course, so many moments of high athletic achievement, across the Tennessee history. Coach (Doug) Dickey always used to tell us, `We’re either playing for the title, or we’re biting on the butt of the guy that is.’ Right? We talked about those great moments, athletically and academically. I get so excited, knowing that the University of Tennessee, can and should be, the very best athletics program in the country. Now, as you’ve already heard, I carry General Neyland’s seven maxims with me, when I left in 2009. For the past eight years, I’ve been blessed to work in support of Coach Bill Snyder, who joined Coach (Phillip) Fulmer, Coach (Bill) Battle, Coach (Doug) Dickey, Coach (Bowden) Wyatt, Coach (Johnny) Majors, and General (Robert) Neyland, in the College Football Hall of Fame, last year. Bill Snyder has built his program around 16 goals. My two favorites, which I talk about all the time in my letters and in my conversations with the folks there are… : Goal No. 12: `No self-limitations’ and Goal No. 3: `Unity.’ I can’t wait to get started, and as the Chancellor said, nothing is more special to my beautiful wife Mary Lawrence that Jack, who is trying out for baseball right now – he couldn’t miss that –Virginia and Mary Dell were born, right here, on Rocky Top. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for bringing us right back, to where we come from. Go Vols!”