The University of Missouri now has one less interim administrator.
The UM System Board of Curators voted to approve the hiring of former San Diego State athletic director Jim Sterk as Missouri's A.D. on Tuesday.
Sterk, 60, will start "on or before" Sept. 1, according to the Board of Curators. His contract is for seven years and he will make $500,000 in base compensation, $200,000 in non-salary compensation and up to $150,000 in incentives.
"My passion is building upon the success of good athletic programs and helping to make them great," Sterk said in a statement. "Whether it is guiding and mentoring student-athletes, working with coaches to ensure they have the resources they need or cheering with the fans, I realize that athletics is one of the most visible programs as a university. Mizzou's recent entry into the SEC makes it highly visible, and I am excited about the opportunity to help continue to lead it on the national stage."
Former A.D. Mack Rhoades left for the same position at Baylor on July 13 and interim A.D. Wren Baker left to be North Texas' A.D. on July 29. Baker had previous served as deputy athletic director under Rhoades.
Interim MU chancellor Hank Foley briefly appointed himself as interim A.D. before executive associate A.D. Sarah Reesman was given the title last Friday.
"This is a wonderful day for Mizzou and Tiger fans everywhere," Foley said in a statement. "Jim's leadership in intercollegiate athletics is unparalleled, and we are thrilled he is going to bring his talents, energy and passion for working with student-athletes to Columbia. He is just what Mizzou needs at this time."
Sterk resigned as San Diego State's A.D. on Monday.
"Jim has made extraordinary contributions to the success of SDSU's athletics teams," SDSU president Elliot Hirshman said in a press release. "I am grateful to Jim and his family for their service to the university community and wish them great success in their new endeavor."
Last year, San Diego State set a school record with 13 programs setting multi-year highs in the Academic Progress Report released by the NCAA, with 313 individuals being honored for achievements. He was named 2015-16 Under Armour A.D. of the Year by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, which highlights the efforts of athletic directors for their commitment and positive contributions to student-athletes, campuses and their surrounding communities.
He joined San Diego State in 2010, and 32 Aztec teams have won a conference title since 2011-12 academic year. The men's basketball and football teams had the fourth-highest combined winning percentage in the country. San Diego State is also one of only four schools to have appeared in six consecutive NCAA tournaments and have its football team play in five straight bowl games.
Sterk hired Rocky Long as head coach in 2011 when Brady Hoke departed for Michigan. Long has achieved a winning season for the Aztecs each year, with an overall record of 43-23.
"Jim elevated SDSU to a respectable level both athletically and academically," said Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk, a former St. Louis Ram and San Diego State Aztec. "His leadership was instrumental in the rise of SDSU success. How we cared for our student-athletes was his No. 1 concern. While I'm sad to see him go, I am equally happy for Jim and his family, and I told him he is going to love the people of Missouri. Mizzou, you hired a man with impeccable integrity."
Missouri coach Barry Odom admitted Monday he knew little about Sterk, but said he is excited to work with him after Foley kept him up-to-date on the A.D. search.
Sterk was named to the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Committee, though he will have to step down from that title since only one member per conference can be represented in the committee (Kentucky is the representative for the Southeastern Conference).
Before becoming San Diego State's A.D., Sterk held the same title at Washington State from 2000-10. Thirteen Cougar teams competed in postseason play, though Bill Doba and Paul Wulff struggled as football coaches under his watch.
He also was Portland State's A.D. from 1995-2000. Before that, he previously had stops at North Carolina, Maine, Seattle Pacific and Tulane.
A native of Nooksack, Wash., Sterk graduated from Western Washington University in 1980 with four letters in football and one in basketball. He earned his master's degree at Ohio University in 1986.