Embed from Getty Images
The University of Maryland responded to reports of the firing of athletic director Kevin Anderson. In a statement Saturday morning, the university refuted media reports that Anderson has been fired.
“Kevin Anderson is UMD Athletic Director. Media reports to the contrary are false,” the school announced in a tweet. There was no clarification on whether Anderson was placed on administrative leave.
Early Saturday morning, Bobby Blanco of MASN reported that Anderson was out as athletic director. He had been placed on administrative leave on Oct. 1 and a negotiated severance package would keep him on the school’s payroll through Aug. 2018. That report has since been confirmed by multiple media outlets.
Reports suggest school president Wallace Loh grew frustrated of Anderson’s pursuit of the vacant athletic director position at the University of California. Anderson spent five years at the school as an assistant and associate athletic director. He also grew up in the San Francisco area and graduated from San Francisco State.
The Washington Post reported that Anderson did not travel with the Maryland football team to its previous two road against at Minnesota and Ohio State. He was also absent during the football team’s homecoming dinner on Friday.
Gary Williams was reportedly the favorite among majority of boosters to replace Anderson. However, the Post reports Williams has no interest in the position.
