Southern Methodist is focusing on Maryland athletic director Damon Evans for its athletics director function, sources instructed CBS Sports activities. 

A deal has not been finalized, however sources count on Evans to just accept the function. He would exchange Rick Hart, who helped information SMU into the Atlantic Coast Convention final 12 months. Evans, who was beforehand the Georgia athletic director, has been at Maryland since 2014 and has labored as the varsity’s AD since 2018. He was not too long ago named to the School Soccer Playoff’s choice committee. 

SMU not too long ago employed away Jay Hartzell from Texas to be its new president. Hartzell is believed to have made a run at Texas athletics director Chris Del Conte, who brushed away these rumors in February. 

The Terrapins are scheduled to play 13-seed Grand Canyon on Friday afternoon. Willard beforehand spent 12 seasons teaching within the Large East at Seton Corridor and sources have indicated he nonetheless has a robust affinity for the convention. 

Talking forward of the first-round recreation, Willard mentioned Evans “might be going to SMU,” and spoke in regards to the challenges of NIL calls for. 

The timing of SMU’s run at Evans is especially attention-grabbing for Maryland as hypothesis continues to swirl round Villanova’s curiosity in Terrapins basketball coach Kevin Willard. He guided Maryland to a second-place common season end within the Large Ten and a No. 4 seed within the NCAA Match. 

If Evans leaves, it’s unclear who could be the interim AD and what impression that would have on contract negotiations with Willard. 

School basketball teaching modifications: NC State anticipated to land Will Wade; WVU’s Darian DeVries to Indiana

Matt Norlander

Villanova fired Kyle Neptune after three seasons wherein the Wildcats didn’t make an NCAA Match berth. Neptune succeeded Jay Wright, who gained two nationwide championships on the Philadelphia-area faculty.