Louisiana Tech in search of AD after Eric Wood departs for Ole Miss
The Dr. Eric Wood era is over at Louisiana Tech after three short years with the school announcing late Monday afternoon that Wood has accepted a position at Ole Miss.
Wood, who has hired by former Tech President Dr. Les Guice in October 2020, came to Ruston after four years at UCF as Deputy AD for Competitive Excellence. He will serve Ole Miss as Senior Deputy AD/External Relations and Business Development. New Louisiana Tech President Dr. Jim Henderson will spearhead the search for Wood’s replacement.
"In the coming weeks, we will develop a process to select the next athletics director, one worthy of the Bulldogs, the Lady Techsters, and the fan base that bleeds Tech Blue,” Henderson said in a release. “Our best days are ahead of us."
A 25-year veteran of athletic administration, Wood accomplished a number of positive moves while at Tech, but he also brought in football coach Sonny Cumbie as his most significant coaching hire during his short stint. The Bulldogs have put together consecutive 3-9 seasons under Cumbie.
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Tech won Conference USA titles in baseball, softball, men’s basketball and women’s basketball during Wood’s tenure. The athletic programs reached the highest single-year (987) and multi-year APR (981), the most CUSA Commissioner’s honor roll (230) recipients and academic medalists (75) for an academic year.
Wood is also given credit for starting the Aillet Society, a major fundraising arm for Bulldog and Lady Techster athletics with 75-plus members in seven states.
Jimmy Watson covers Louisiana sports for the USA TODAY Network. Email him at jwatson@shreveporttimes.com and follow him on Twitter @JimmyWatson6.
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Louisiana Tech in search of AD after Eric Wood departs for Ole Miss
