KNOXVILLE — Doug Dickey will serve an additional year as the University of Tennessee’s men’s athletics director.
UT Acting President Eli Fly said Dickey has agreed to a one-year contract extension that runs through June 2003. Fly said UT’s new president, who is expected to be named by July 2002, should select the new director.
“I am happy that Doug has agreed to stay another year,” Fly said. “The success of our teams, the management of our program and the expansion of our athletic facilities speak to the job he has done.
“This agreement will give the new president the opportunity to be involved in selecting Doug’s successor.”
Fly said Dickey will continue to lead capital and facilities planning and development projects that are underway. Changes in his pay and benefits will be considered later, he said.
“I appreciate the confidence Mr. Fly and the university have placed in me with this contract extension,” Dickey said. “There are some major projects underway and in the planning stages that I believe are important to the continuation of the University of Tennessee’s national prominence.
“I look forward to working on these projects in the next two years.”
Fly said under Dickey’s leadership the athletics department has made significant contributions to academic programs. He cited gifts to the library and band program and the recent 20-year commitment of $20 million to the Trustees Scholarship Program. The Athletic Department also supports the Neyland, Bicentennial, Peyton Manning, John Ward and George Bitzas scholarship funds, all of which are academic awards.
Dickey succeeded Bob Woodruff as athletics director in 1985. The contract extension would give Dickey 24 years of service to UT. He was head football coach from 1964 to 1969.