STARKVILLE — Scott Wetherbee has been named Mississippi State interim director of athletics, MSU President Mark Keenum announced Tuesday.
Wetherbee serves as senior associate director of athletics for external affairs. He worked in athletic departments at East Carolina, Fresno State and San Diego State before making the move to MSU in 2013.
“As the MSU athletics director search continues as previously outlined, I think it’s important that we have steady, experienced leadership,” Keenum said in a statement. “With his background and institutional knowledge, Scott Wetherbee offers us that skill set. I deeply appreciate Scott’s willingness to serve the university in this important role during the search process.”
MSU is searching for a new AD after Scott Stricklin accepted the same job at the University of Florida in September. Stricklin will officially begin his duties in Gainesville Nov. 1.
The university has hired the Parker Executive search firm to assist in what Keenum has described as a national search for Stricklin’s replacement.
Wetherbee said Keenum called him Tuesday afternoon and offered him the interim position.
“I was very humbled when he asked,” Wetherbee said. “I’m really excited about it and said, ‘Absolutely, I’ll do whatever I can for the university and for him.’ I look forward to it. I’m extremely excited about the opportunity of carrying on where [Stricklin] left off.”
MSU Chief Communications Officer Sid Salter would not confirm to The Dispatch Tuesday afternoon whether Wetherbee was a candidate for the permanent position.
“We’re not speaking to that at this time,” he said.
Stricklin tweeted out a letter to Bulldog fans Tuesday thanking them for their support and how difficult the decision was for him to leave his alma mater.
“Mississippi State Athletics has accomplished some remarkable things these past few years, and each of you were a part of that,” Stricklin wrote. “You’ve done everything asked of you, from joining the Bulldog Club and buying season tickets, to Ringing Responsibly and wearing Maroon on Fridays. And together, we’ve seen our Bulldogs achieve unprecedented success.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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