Mike Hamilton resigns (with video)

(Last updated 12:22 p.m.) The Tennessee athletic program continues to undergo change. This time, the casualty is the man responsible for many of the recent changes, athletic director Mike Hamilton.

WBIR broke the news this morning that Hamilton had resigned and would make a public statement during an 11:00 a.m. press conference.

Under Hamilton’s watch, all three major programs faced scrutiny by the NCAA. Tennessee is scheduled to meet wih the NCAA Committee on Infractions staring this weekend.

“He’s an outstanding guy who’s done a lot of good things for the university, so obviously we’re going to work hard to find somebody to replace him,” Jim Murphy, vice chariman of the UT Board of Trustess said of Hamilton.

Updates

11:00AM Speculation is that Hamilton will continue his role for some predetermined amount of time.

11:02AM Statement from Chancellor Jimmy Cheek notes that the resignation is effective June 30, 2011.

“My family and I love the University of Tennessee, and we love Knoxville. We have poured out our lives over the last 19 years to try to make this a better community, a better athletic program and a better university,” Hamilton said. “We will forever cherish our time here and be eternally grateful to Doug Dickey for taking a chance on a young, 28-year-old in 1992. Serving as athletic director over the last eight years has been an incredible daily leadership lesson and a dream come true that I would never trade for anything. I appreciate everyone who has walked along that path with me. We have, without a doubt, the best staff, coaches, student-athletes, and fans in America.”

According to the release, Hamilton will receive $1,335,000 in compensation over the next thirty-six months. An interim athletic director is expected to be named before the end of the week.

11:08AM Still waiting for the press conference to begin.

11:09AM Here is a link to watch the event live: http://www.wate.com/category/200323/live-coverage-mike-hamilton-resigns

11:10AM Hamilton is now speaking.

11:11AM Hamilton is quoting scripture about his decision. Says his professional life and personal life need to be aligned.

11:12AM Hamilton says he has become a “lightening rod” for negative attention.

11:13AM Asks the fans to rally around the current group of coaches.

11:14AM He’s grateful to Doug Dickey for taking a chance on him.

11:15AM Hamilton closes his statement with, “Thank you. Go Vols.”

11:16AM Hamilton, now taking questions, says Tennessee can now go into the NCAA meetings with a “clean slate”.

11:16AM “National search” will begin immediately.

11:17AM Hamilton isn’t sure what his next move will be, but believes he will be an athletic director again at some point.

11:18AM Chancellor Cheek says he did not try to talk Hamilton out of his decision and was pleased with the job he was doing.

11:20AM Hamilton said the upcoming meeting with the NCAA Committee on Infractions this weekend affected the timing of his decision. He believes going into those meetings with a new basketball coach and a new athletic director should be a positive for the university.

11:22AM “We’ve been in period of turmoil that needs to end,” Hamilton said.

11:24AM Hamilton will hand over the baseball coaching search to the interim AD.

11:25AM Cheek hopes to have a new hire made by the time football season starts.

11:27AM “The length of these investigations is a problem,” Hamilton noted. The NCAA inquiry began in April of 2009.

11:27AM Cheek reiterates that the search for a new AD will be national.

11:27AM Press conference ends.

12:19PM It’s being reported Hamilton will receive eight lifetime season tickets to Tennessee football and basketball games as part of his buyout.

12:22PM From Clay Travis: “Who should be next UT AD? Brad Lampley. Former Vol lineman, managing partner of large Southern law firm, chairman of Music City Bowl.”

12:25PM Video added.