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(Ben Solomon/Rutgers Athletics)[/caption]
On Sunday it was announced that Patrick Hobbs will switch from blue and white to scarlet red.
The Dean Emeritus of Seton Hall’s School of Law, Hobbs was named the new Director of Athletics at Rutgers University following the termination of Julie Hermann. The announcement was made by Rutgers president Robert Barchi in a press release.
“In my meetings and conversations with Pat, and also with Board Members Greg Brown and Ken Schmidt, it was clear to all of us that Pat had the attributes required for our next Director of Athletics,” Barchi said. “We offered Pat the permanent job on Friday and we are proud to welcome him as our new Director of Athletics.”
Hobbs agreed to a five-year deal worth $560,00 a year, per NJ.com.
(Ben Solomon/Rutgers Athletics)[/caption]
On Sunday it was announced that Patrick Hobbs will switch from blue and white to scarlet red.
The Dean Emeritus of Seton Hall’s School of Law, Hobbs was named the new Director of Athletics at Rutgers University following the termination of Julie Hermann. The announcement was made by Rutgers president Robert Barchi in a press release.
“In my meetings and conversations with Pat, and also with Board Members Greg Brown and Ken Schmidt, it was clear to all of us that Pat had the attributes required for our next Director of Athletics,” Barchi said. “We offered Pat the permanent job on Friday and we are proud to welcome him as our new Director of Athletics.”
Hobbs agreed to a five-year deal worth $560,00 a year, per NJ.com.
The news follows the firing of Rutgers football coach Kyle Flood. The Scarlet Knights are coming off a 1-7, last-place finish in the Big Ten Conference and had various off-the-field controversies surround the team.
“Our continued struggles on the field combined with several off the field issues have convinced me that we need new leadership of our football program,” Barchi said, adding that Hobbs will immediately lead the search for Flood’s replacement. “I want to thank Kyle for his service to Rutgers and I also wish him and his family well in his next endeavor.”
Hobbs has experience taking over tumultuous athletic departments, as he held the title of interim athletic director in South Orange between 2009 and 2011. Much as Rutgers is now, SHU was then in a time of change fol- lowing the resignation of AD Joe Quinlan and the firing of men’s basketball coach Bobby Gonzalez.
Hobbs made two noteworthy hires while working under the interim title for the Pirates, naming Anne Donovan the women’s basketball coach and Kevin Willard the men’s. Willard is in the midst of his sixth season at SHU, while Donovan resigned after three years. Hobbs also helped pick his successor, current Seton Hall AD Pat Lyons.
In addition to his athletic endeavors, Hobbs took on the role of dean of Seton Hall’s law school in 1995. Earlier this year he stepped down to accept a position within Gov. Chris Christie’s office in which he oversaw ethics training and policies.
A frequent sight at Seton Hall basketball games, Hobbs will now be rooting for the other side when the men’s team travels to Rutgers on Saturday for the Garden State Hardwood Classic.
Gary Phillips can be reached at gary.phillips@student.shu.edu or on Twitter @GPhillips2727.
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