Anderson won’t seek Pac-12 commissioner job
Ray Anderson, Arizona State Vice President for Athletics, is not a candidate to become the next Pac-12 commission.
Anderson said on his weekly radio show with ASU play-by-play announcer Tim Healey that replacing Larry Scott as Pac-12 commissioner is “not meant to be for me. This is my home right here at ASU.”
Since the recent announcement of Scott leaving the Pac-12 at the end of this school year, Anderson has been high on the list of candidates mentioned nationally for the job.
“Yes it’s falttering that credible people would speculate I would be a prominent candidated to beome the next Pac-12 commissioner,” Anderson said. “Let me say very clearly if I’m going to be in the Pac-12, it will be here at ASU as President Michael Crow’s athletic director.
“I consider this my home. This is my purpose. My wife Buffy loves everything about this community.”
Anderson, 66, was hired at ASU in January 2014, leaving a job as NFL executive vice president of football operations. His time at ASU has included the renovation of Sun Devil Stadium among other major facilities upgrades.
“There is a lot of unfinished business we have here at ASU and extraordinary potential,” Anderson said. “There is so much positive happening here inside and outside of athletics.
“I want to be a big part of that bright future and that impactful future we really believe in here. President Crow and I are in alignment on a lot of meaningful stuff to be accomplished here. We made an agreement we’re going to do this together. I intend to proudly and faithfully fulfill those commitments. I understand the honor and joy to work with our 650 athletes and our unbelievable coaches and leadership administrative team. That stuff means something to me. People need to understand this is a fun dynamic place to be.”
Anderson believes he can impact ASU and the Pac-12 in his current job. He has been involved with the Pac-12 in helping improve officiating and in the hiring of Merton Hanks as senior associate commissioner for football operations.
“I enjoy working with my fellow athletic director peers across the conference who are trying to advance this conference forward,” he said. “From my seat I will be able to have an impact on our campus and community as well as serving the needs of the conference.”