Ole Miss AD Ross Bjork To Alabama?

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Search committee co-chair Mike Glenn, executive vice president of marketing development and corporate communications for FedEx, said he is "particularly pleased by the experience in athletic program leadership that Ross brings to Ole Miss."

The committee, with the assistance of search firm Eastman-Beaudine, interviewed numerous candidates for the position. In the end, Bjork was chosen based on his many years of experience as an administrator and student-athlete.

At UCLA, Bjork is credited with directing capital fund raising, marketing, promotions, ticket sales, branding, licensing and merchandising. Total giving to UCLA athletics doubled in Bjork's first year, and the university saw record season ticket sales for football and men's basketball games.

Prior to his time at UCLA, Bjork served on the executive staff for the University of Miami athletic program, where he oversaw all revenue production for the Hurricanes. He also served more than six years at the University of Missouri, where he oversaw development operations and saw record donations each year.

His proven track record in each position is a major benefit for Ole Miss, Jones said.

"I see in Ross a serious commitment to winning and a willingness and ability to make the tough decisions that are sometimes required to win," Jones said. "That's an important attribute in a leader and one that's uncommon in athletics directors with two years at the helm of an athletic program."

Jones said, "He has a long record of serious attention to compliance and academic excellence, and he sees athletics as an integrated part of the total university. Academic excellence was a key part of his program at Western Kentucky, and he demonstrated measurable improvement there."

Bjork expressed excitement and a strong sense of purpose in taking the job, saying that his main priorities will be to provide the ultimate environment for student-athlete success and bring Ole Miss fans together. "Ole Miss has a rich and vibrant athletic culture, and I want Ole Miss Athletics to continue to excel in every aspect," he said. "It's time for us to capture the aura, tradition and passion of the Ole Miss family, in order to provide the necessary resources for our student-athletes to excel on and off the fields and courts."

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