West Virginia names Alabama official Lyons as new director of athletics

Published Jan. 5, 2015 11:46 a.m. ET

foxsports

West Virginia has named Shane Lyons as director of intercollegiate athletics and associate vice president. Lyons is currently the deputy director of athletics at Alabama.

University president Gordon Gee made the announcement on Monday. Oliver Luck recently left the role to take a newly created position in the NCAA.

"We are delighted to welcome Shane Lyons back to his home state of West Virginia and to his alma mater," Gee said. "He brings a wealth of experience in both university and conference athletics administration. In addition, as a graduate of West Virginia University, Shane understands what it means to be a Mountaineer. We look forward to him joining our team and leading our athletic department to new heights."

Lyons has a five-year agreement through February 2020, and will earn a yearly compensation of $550,000, plus incentives, according to a news release.

Lyons spent the past three seasons working closely on day-to-day leadership and direction with the Alabama athletic directors, first the late Mal Moore then Bill Battle. At West Virginia, he'll oversee 18 varsity sports, a department budget of approximately $77 million, 220 employees, approximately 450 student-athletes and a facilities master plan that includes ongoing construction of a $21 million baseball park, in addition to more than $75 million to modernize other athletic venues, according to a university release.

The Crimson Tide won seven national titles in five different sports -- two in football, two in men's golf, one in women's golf, one in gymnastics and one in softball during his time in the program. He also was involved in the hiring of four head coaches.