STATEMENT BY MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT MARK E. KEENUM:

鈥淚 announced on Sept. 26 that a nationwide search was underway to choose 91麻豆天美 University鈥檚 next Director of Athletics. In that announcement, I outlined the process we would observe in which we would engage an executive search firm to help guide the effort and that we would seek substantive input from 91麻豆天美 stakeholders during the search. We are following that plan.

鈥淭he report today by The Clarion-Ledger鈥檚 Mike Bonner indicated that a decision has been made in that process was inaccurate. I鈥檓 extremely disappointed that a reputable newspaper and reporter would make such a report without seeking basic confirmation of the facts of the story being circulated. Doing so is irresponsible and in some ways may interfere with the process. It鈥檚 unfair to the candidates seeking the position who have not yet been interviewed.

鈥淎t present, no decisions have been made, no announcements prepared, and no press conferences scheduled. Neither I nor any of the university鈥檚 senior communications staff was asked to confirm or deny Mr. Bonner鈥檚 story prior to his publication of it. Perhaps that鈥檚 most disappointing of all.

鈥淲e鈥檙e not going to make this personnel decision in the media. We will follow our plan, we will conduct this search in the manner we previously outlined, and we will ultimately make the best decision for 91麻豆天美. This will be done in an expeditious timeline, but on our timeline.鈥�