Athletics directors at both Florida A & M and Florida State are out.
FAMU did not renew its contract with Derek Horne, largely because of the continued budget deficit in the athletics program. Horne has been placed on administrative leave with pay until his contract expires at the start of September.
FAMU’s athletics department has been plagued by a $7 million dollar deficit, incurred over several years.
Horne inherited the deficit when he accepted the job of athletics director in 2010, but he was never able to solve the athletics budget problems. Horne made $200,000 a year as athletics director. FAMU’s associate Athletics Director, Michael Smith, has been appointed as interim A.D. until a replacement is named. The university says it’s looking for someone with experience in fundraising and finance.
Meanwhile, Florida State University’s athletics director is also out of his job.
Randy Spetman has been reassigned to an advisory position in the athletics department. He had been scheduled to present a five-year plan for athletics to University Trustees today.
He was hired in 2008 by former FSU President T.K. Wetherell at a time when FSU was dealing with an academic cheating scandal that led to NCAA sanctions and the loss of game wins and a championship in track.
He also helped oversee the transition between retired head football coach Bobby Bowden and current coach Jimbo Fisher.
FSU sports teams have been successful under Spetman’s tenure. He is expected to stay on with the university until his contract expires in 2014.
Senior Women’s Administrator Vanessa Fuchs has been named interim athletic director.
