LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- U of L's Interim Athletic Director talks budgets, firings and the NCAA.
Briefing reporters Thursday night, Tyra says they have not heard anything from the NCAA on their appeal of the Minardi Hall scandal penalties, saying "we're as excited as you guys to hear something."
He says the overall budget of the department is down three to four percent compared to last year with the men's basketball budget alone missing the mark by $2.8 million so far this season. To compensate for the shortfalls, Tyra announced he was cutting his salary by $350,000 to $850,000 a year to move in line with what other ACC athletic directors are making.
He also explained the terminations of three senior staffers, including Mark Jurich, saying they were tough decisions but were done in the best interest of the department and their responsibilities were consolidated with other existing positions.
Interim university president Greg Postel has said he wants to have a permanent athletic director hired by the end of March. Until then, Tyra says he has no issues with hiring or firing as the interim leader and plans to talk with interim basketball coach David Padgett after the final game of the season about his future.