West Virginia University President E. Gordon Gee said he plans to move “swiftly” to name a replacement for athletic director Shane Lyons, who was relieved of his duties Monday morning.
Lyons, who hired football coach Neal Brown in 2019 and gave him a contract extension through 2026 a year later, has served since 2015.
In the short term, Gee named Rob Alsop, vice president for strategic initiatives, as the interim director of athletics.
“I deeply appreciate Shane’s leadership over the past eight years and I wish him well,” Gee said in a statement. “But with the ever-changing landscape of intercollegiate athletics, I believe this is an opportunity to bring a fresh perspective to our program.”
Gee said no changes to the football program will be made in the coming weeks.
“We are supporting coach Neal Brown and our team as we complete our season over the next few weeks,” Gee said. “We are aware there are some deficiencies, but we have not given up on the coach and the team, and they have not given up on each other. The evaluation of the football program will be the first task of our new athletic director and no changes will be made until that review has been completed.”
Brown is 21-24 in his fourth year with the Mountaineers, with a buyout of nearly $17 million, according to The Athletic.
Alsop served on WVU’s Board of Governors in 2013 before becoming vice president for legal and governmental affairs and entrepreneurial engagement in ‘14. He was named vice president for strategic initiatives in 2017. He oversees auxiliary and business services, corporate and government relations, dining services, talent and culture, and information technology services.
He also has been involved in the planning for capital projects including renovations to the Milan Puskar Center and Mylan Park Track and Aquatic Center.
“I am confident that Rob will lead and assist our coaches, student-athletes and staff during this turning point,” Gee said. “I also know that he will lay the pathways necessary for a new athletic director to make a seamless transition into the role.”
