Dave Hart hired at UA

UPDATE 5:20 p.m. It is official. Here’s the release. I’m struck by the similarities of hiring another FSU AD at UA. What is past is prologue at Alabama.

(UA) TUSCALOOSA – University of Alabama Director of Athletics Mal Moore announced today that Dave Hart, Jr., former director of athletics at Florida State University and East Carolina University, has been hired as Executive Director of Athletics at the Capstone. Hart, who will assume his role on August 10, joins the UA Athletic Department after serving as an advisor to the Atlantic Coast Conference and ACC Commissioner John Swofford.

“I am very proud and pleased to be able to add Dave Hart to our athletic staff,” Moore said. “Dave is a proven leader with a strong administrative background. He is a former Crimson Tide athlete who is passionate about The University of Alabama and I am delighted to welcome him to our staff.”

Hart’s role at Alabama will focus on assisting the Director of Athletics with the day-to-day operations of the athletic department, helping lead the administrative team in the daily operations of the department. A 1971 Alabama graduate, Hart played basketball for the Crimson Tide under legendary head coach C.M. Newton and earned a master’s degree from UA in 1972 while working as a graduate assistant basketball coach.

“I have enthusiastically accepted Mal Moore’s offer to return to the University of Alabama as Executive Director of Athletics,” Hart said. “This is certainly a unique circumstance and opportunity. My respect for Mal Moore as a person, and my strong feelings for the Crimson Tide, led me to this decision. I look forward to contributing to a very bright future for Alabama Athletics.”

Hart served more than 12 years (1995-2007) as Director of Athletics at Florida State, earning a reputation as one of the nation’s top athletic directors. Prior to his tenure at Florida State, Hart spent 12 years at East Carolina including eight as director of athletics.

Hart is married to the former Pam Humble, a 1970 graduate of The University of Alabama, and the couple has three children: Rick, Jamie and Kelly. The Harts are the grandparents of five grandchildren: Trevor, Caroline, McKinley, Olivia and Kingsley.

UPDATE 5:17 p.m.
Cecil Hurt said on the Paul Finebaum Radio Network that Dave Hart likely would assume oversight responsibility for men’s basketball. Hart also has a basketball tie to Alabama, having played under legendary C.M. Newton.

Interesting isn’t it? Does anyone remember 1989?

The last time UA brought in an FSU athletic director it was seen as an attempt to run off the football coach. This time an FSU athletic director is brought in during a tumultuous time for Alabama’s basketball program.

The Tuscaloosa News has reported Dave Hart, former FSU athletic director, was hired to assist Mal Moore with “day-to-day” athletic department operations. The report cited unnamed sources. Hart played basketball at Alabama under C.M. Newton.