Citing "emerging and existing threats to our business model," new Texas A&M athletic director Trev Alberts laid off more than a dozen athletic department staffers Tuesday, including several high-ranking and long-serving administrators.
Alberts, who came to A&M from his alma mater Nebraska just over a month ago, told The Bryan-College Station Eagle that the layoffs were not related to budgetary concerns regarding former head football coach Jimbo Fisher’s $76.8 million buyout, but “reorganization related to existing and emerging threats to our business model.”
“We are on the cusp of unprecedented change in the world of intercollegiate athletics,” Alberts said in a statement provided to The Eagle. “As a department, we have to adapt and become more efficient and effective so that we are best positioned for the changes to come. However, what will not change is this: student-athletes are our priority and making sure their experience at Texas A&M is second to none is our goal.
“This morning, we met with several individuals to inform them that, in light of the upcoming changes to our administrative structure, they will not be employees of the athletics department in the future. These changes are difficult and let me state emphatically, these people have done nothing wrong. These are good, hard-working members of the Aggie family and their service is greatly appreciated. I can assure you, this was not personal, it was a business decision, and a very difficult one at that.”
Alberts made no further comments, citing the fact they were personnel-related issues.
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As reported by Travis Brown of The Eagle, among those released Tuesday were Justin Moore, executive deputy athletic director and chief operating officer, as well as Chris Park, deputy athletic director for external relations and business development, Tyler Pigg, associate athletic director for branding, creative and communications, and James Duncan, director of football technology, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the situation.
Deputy athletic director Kristen Brown confirmed with The Eagle that she was a part of the group laid off, after serving as a deputy athletics director since 2020. Jamie Wood, assistant athletics director for NIL, also confirmed with The Eagle that he was let go. He served in that role since May 2023, moving to Aggieland from Ohio State.
Associate athletic director for equipment and apparel Matt Watson, A&M Class of 1995, confirmed he was one of the cuts after serving in the Aggie equipment room for 34 years. He will be able to draw his retirement early, he confirmed.
Per Fisher’s contract, $19 million of the $76.8 million buyout was paid within 60 days of his termination. Another $7 million was paid within 120 days of his firing, and the remainder will be paid in equal annual payments through 2031, Brown reported. Former athletic director Ross Bjork, who was at the helm of the department when Fisher was fired, stated that A&M’s athletic department and the 12th Man Foundation would be the sole sources necessary for paying the buyout.
As reported by The Eagle, a new TV contract between the SEC and ESPN will pay out more than the average $51.2 million paid out from the 2022-23 fiscal year. Kyle Field is also being leveraged in new ways this summer, hosting an international soccer friendly between Mexico and Brazil, as well as a concert featuring George Strait. Park played a big role in organizing those events, Brown reported.
Alberts has made one addition since arriving at A&M — former Nebraska executive assistant to the athletic director Linsey Chamberlin, who is now an assistant athletic director in College Station.
