Since taking over the vacant Louisville athletic director position, Vince Tyra is making a big impression in Louisville.
June has been a huge month so far for Louisville athletic director Vince Tyra.
Tyra, who took over in an interim fashion in October of 2017, officially became Louisville’s newest AD on March 26th. He knew from the beginning that he would have some giant shoes to fill, after taking over for Tom Jurich. The former AD is nothing short of a legend in the city of Louisville, having taken the program from it’s days as a commuter school to nationally recognized brands in all sports.
“Tom and I aren’t the same people, but we have similar philosophies,” Tyra said in October. “Tom has been an incredible steward for a long time. People know how I feel about Tom and what he has accomplished here.”
Tyra comes from a business background, and has successfully lead multiple business on a CEO level. His hiring was met with mixed reviews, with the detractors citing his lack of experience sports management and education.
Quickly though, the new athletic director has eased the worries of many doubters.
The day after Tyra officially signed the dotted line to become AD, he was able to secure Chris Mack as the head basketball coach. This is seen as a huge victory, as Tyra walked into about as tough of a college basketball job market as there can be. Mack makes by far the most sense as Louisville’s head coach, and brings a similar attitude and vision to the table as Tyra.
Tyra is a man of the people in many ways. When he is out in public, he still holds himself like many fans do. Tom Jurich and Rick Pitino were almost at a mythical status in their times in Louisville. They lead mostly private lives, and for the most part elevated themselves to the point of being difficult to read. They could be friendly, funny, and fascinating at times. But probably not guys that you’d find yourself in the same Waffle House or Roosters with.
Such is not the case with Tyra, or the coaches he will attract. Tyra is approachable, and friendly. He immediately reached out to former Cardinals and tried to make them feel involved. Something Pitino often failed to do.
Tyra’s most notable successes have come in the last week. Two of the biggest pieces to Louisville athletics for the last decade have been Women’s basketball coach Jeff Walz, and baseball coach Dan McDonnell. Both coaches are highly sought after, and are among the best- if not the best- coaches in their fields. This week, Tyra was able to lock both coaches down and sign them to new contracts.
McDonnell was heavily courted by Mississippi State, among other schools, and it would have been the cleanest possible break for the coach who has lead Louisville to four College World Series appearances. “When you have quality coaches, we know they’re going to be approached with other opportunities,” said Tyra of McDonnell, “but I’m confident we have everything here Dan wants and needs in order to continue in our pursuit of winning a national championship.”
Walz is regarded as a top 3 women’s college basketball coach, and could have gone to a number of high profile jobs when Jurich was let go. ”I’m really excited to extend my contract,” said Walz in a release from the school. “It’s not just important to me, it’s important to our entire staff. It’s nice to know where you are going to be for an extended period of time and I’m excited about the future.”
Walz mentioned to Mark Ennis on the Drive on 93.9 The Ville that there were still a few things left to be ironed out, but it is all but a done deal if the university came out with an official release.
Overall, this is the best possible outcome for the first-time athletic director. Tyra is hitting home run after home run, and has locked down what is likely the most talented staff of coaches top to bottom in every sport.
Not only this, but this is a fun group. McDonnell, Mack, Tyra, Walz, men’s soccer coach Ken Lolla, and so many others are great coaches, but they are great influences in the city of Louisville. Each coach is confidence about what they bring to the table, and are sold on instilling values into each of their players.
The loss of Tom Jurich hurts. But, Vince Tyra is proving time and time again that he will be a more than capable replacement and leader of the Louisville athletic department.