Rick Hart new SMU AD

By Richard Durrett

SMU named Tennessee-Chattanooga athletic director Rick Hart to the same post on Monday, the school announced.

Hart, a third-generation administrator in his family, was introduced Monday to oversee SMU's transition from Conference USA into the Big East Conference and become the new boss for big-name coaches Larry Brown and June Jones.

"I know a lot of great things have happened here lately and we have some momentum," Hart said. "It's a tremendous opportunity. You only get to do this once. ... I sense from the community that there's a willingness to support this program and eagerness to support this program at levels that have been unprecedented."

Hart replaces Steve Orsini, who was fired May 17....