ASU athletic director reassigned

New Arkansas State University football coach Gus Malzahn (middle) with his wife Kristi and ASU Athletic Director Dean Lee during Malzahn's introductory press conference in Jonesboro. Lee was reportedly reassigned within the university on Tuesday.
New Arkansas State University football coach Gus Malzahn (middle) with his wife Kristi and ASU Athletic Director Dean Lee during Malzahn's introductory press conference in Jonesboro. Lee was reportedly reassigned within the university on Tuesday.

Arkansas State athletic director Dean Lee will be reassigned to another position within the university, effective immediately.

A release from the university said that Lee, who has been director of athletics for eight years, will be replaced on an interim basis by associate athletic director Doug Abel.

Lee will "fill a vacancy in the University Advancement Division as Associate Vice Chancellor," according to the release.

"We appreciate Dr. Lee’s service to Arkansas State University in the role of Athletic Director,” Arkansas State University-Jonesboro Chancellor Tim Hudson said in a statement. “Under his tenure, ASU has enjoyed progressive changes in donations, academics, facilities and attendance. Given his background, he will be an asset to University Advancement in our quest for additional resources.”

The release added that the search for a new athletic director will begin immediately. Lee will remain with the same $150,123 salary he had as athletic director.

Lee was responsible for the hiring of current men's basketball coach John Brady and head football coach Gus Malzahn.

In a radio interview on Sports Talk with Bo Mattingly on Tuesday afternoon, Malzahn, when asked about the situation, said, "I feel that's an administration issue. I'm not on top of everything."

Read more about this story in tomorrow's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

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