AUSTIN, Texas -- Arizona State athletic director Steve Patterson is leaving the Sun Devils for Texas, where he will take over the wealthiest athletic department in the country and a program facing serious questions about the job security of its football and mens basketball coaches as well as its president. Patterson accepted an offer from Texas on Tuesday after interviewing for the job over the weekend. West Virginias Oliver Luck had reportedly been the leading candidate, but it will instead be Patterson who succeeds DeLoss Dodds, who is stepping down at Texas after 32 years. "Steve Patterson emerged as the perfect candidate to build on Texas athletic success and DeLoss Dodds legacy," Texas President Bill Powers said. Pattersons hiring must still be approved the University of Texas System Board of Regents, which meets Nov. 12-13, but that step is considered likely. The search panel included two regents, Steve Hicks and Robert Stillwell, who are the boards athletics liaisons. Powers office said Patterson would be introduced as a news conference later this week. Pattersons most immediate questions at Texas likely centre on the future of the football coach Mack Brown, mens basketball coach Rick Barnes, and a potential federal civil rights lawsuit from former womens track coach Bev Kearney, who was forced to resign in January after revelations a previous relationship with one of her athletes. He also comes to Austin at a time when his new boss is also fighting for his job. Powers has tangled with the regents in recent years over tuition and graduation rates and other issues, and has a thin majority of support on the nine-member board. State lawmakers are investigating whether to impeach one regent over attempts to force Powers out. Dodds and Powers have been Browns staunchest allies through three consecutive sub-par seasons for the storied Texas football program. Brown faced intense criticism and renewed speculation about his job security when Texas started 1-2, but the Longhorns are on a five-game winning streak and in first place in the Big 12. The mens basketball program opens its season Friday night at home against Mercer. The Longhorns had their first losing season in 15 years under Barnes last year and havent made it past the first weekend of the NCAA tournament in five years. Texas began its job search last month when Dodds announced he would leave by Aug. 31, 2014. Dodds had said he would stay in the job until his replacement was found, but would step aside into an advising role once that person got to campus. Patterson, 55, has been Arizona State athletic director only since March 2012 and had previously been responsible for the schools athletics business operations and facilities. Patterson has deep Texas ties: He got his undergraduate and law degrees at Texas, and had executive jobs with the Houston Texans in the NFL and the Houston Rockets and Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA. "Steve helped build an NBA championship team and brought the Super Bowl game to Houston. Far more important, hes run a winning program at Arizona State that places students first and is committed to their lifelong success," Powers said. Arizona State President Michael M. Crow said senior Vice-President James Rund would serve as the Sun Devils interim athletic director. Crow said he understood Pattersons desire to return to Texas and wished him well. "During his stay at ASU, Steve Patterson has positioned Sun Devil athletics to continue its forward momentum well into the future," Crow said. "He first became involved with ASU three years ago to put the universitys athletic department on a sound financial footing and that is exactly what he has done." jerseys from china . 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Cheap Atlanta Braves Jerseys .Y. -- San Jose coach Todd McLellan was happy enough to laugh about the winning goal, even if it didnt come on the play he designed.LAKE BUENA VISTA, Florida – A comment Mark DeRosa made in August as he reflected on what, by then, clearly was a failed 2013 Blue Jays season, is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore looking ahead to the prospects for next years squad. "When Brandon Morrow went down, that killed us," said the now former Blue Jay, referring to the forearm injury Morrow suffered in late May that ended his season. With general manager Alex Anthopoulos uncomfortable, at least for the time being, with the market price for mid-range starting pitching and with no acquisition, either through free agency or via trade, apparently imminent, Morrows return to health is crucial to the Jays becoming the contender many thought they would be a year ago. Morrow is throwing in Arizona and early reports on his bullpen sessions and a simulated game are positive. But can Morrow give Toronto 180 or more innings? Hes done it only once in his career (2011) and even if he can is a Morrow, R.A. Dickey and Mark Buehrle front three enough for the Jays to contend in an American League East thats demise is annually predicted but never realized? Assuming Morrow, Dickey and Buehrle are the front three, is it the right approach for a club trying to contend now to count on one of Drew Hutchison, Kyle Drabek, Sean Nolin or Marcus Stroman to impress enough in spring training to crack the back end of the rotation for a spot alongside J.A. Happ? Anthopoulos has discussed the need for an improved rotation since the middle of last summer, when he began lamenting the combined ERA of the starting staff which would finish second-worst in baseball, ahead of only lowly Minnesota. The Twins, whether or not you agree with the moves, have been proactive, inking veteran National Leaguer Ricky Nolasco (four years/$49 million) and former Yankee Phil Hughes (three years/$24 million). "I think my position has been that as we sit here today the trade market seems more viable," said Anthopoulos. "Thats not to say that wont change a week from now or two weeks from now as the prices for free agents change." In fact, Anthopoulos says, in his most recent conversations hes noticing a shift downward in the price of some free agents. He acknowledges that the names of prospects Stroman and Aaron Sanchez come up in almost all the trade conversation he has but that hes not eager to move his upper level rotation depth. Free agent right-hander Matt Garza could become more appealing if his arm problems limit him to a shorter term contract. At the very least, hes worth exploring given his past success in the division as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays for three seasons, starting in 2008. Another option, through a modified form of free agency, is Masahiro Tanaka. It seems farfetched, however. Depending on how the posting process is settled for the Japanese phenom, the Jays could get involved. If, as expected, the bidding is capped at $20 million, Toronto could post the maximum. The problem is a number of other clubs, particularly the big market, high spending teams, could and likely would do the same which would create a situation where Tanaka could sign with the high bidder of his choosing. Hed be in prime position to leverage up his contract and select the city in which he wishes to pitch. Tanaka is only 25 and hass two years left on his contract with the Rakuten Golden Eagles.dddddddddddd He posted a record of 24-0 with a 1.27 ERA and 0.943 WHIP in 2013. That WHIP, incredible for a starting pitcher, isnt even his best. In 2011, Tanaka had a 0.875 WHIP. Hes known as a fastball/splitter specialist who, over his seven seasons in Japan, has struck out 4.5 hitters for every walk. Anthopoulos continues to pursue leads, knowing a rotation of Dickey, Morrow, Buehrle, Happ and (insert rookie here) wont inspire confidence in a fan base counting on a bounce back season. There remains plenty of work to do. Fortunately, there too remains plenty of time. THE FIVE-YEAR TERM LIMIT The Blue Jays are known for their policy on five-year contract limits. Anthopoulos suggests theres wiggle room if the circumstances are right. "I think weve said, six (years), will you bend a little bit and do something like that, I think we havent ruled it out," said Anthopoulos. "Our preference is certainly five. Weve never really had to deviate from that. Weve never looked seriously at doing that." There are few examples of extended long-term deals that have worked out. Albert Pujols seven-year, $100 million contract signed with the Cardinals prior to the 2005 season would be one but for each of those, there are more of the Carlos Beltran-Mets type of deals. Beltran had a stellar first four seasons in New York but was plagued by injury during the back half of the contract. Prince Fielder is another example, traded by the Tigers last month just two years into a nine-year, $214 million deal signed after the 2011 season. "I dont know that its that strict a policy but its certainly a strong guideline that maybe we would stretch a little bit and go to six," said Anthopoulos. "Now, you start getting beyond six, I dont see that occurring." JAYS ROUND OUT COACHING STAFF Tim Leiper, who served as a minor league consultant for the Blue Jays last season, is expected to be named the clubs new first base coach. A source close to Leiper confirmed the news to TSN.ca. Leiper replaces Dwayne Murphy, who retired at the end of the year. A native of Whittier, California, Leiper, 46, has an extensive coaching background in the minor leagues and with Baseball Canada. Anthopoulos familiarity with Leiper dates back more than a decade. Leiper managed the Ottawa Lynx, then the Triple-A affiliate of the Montreal Expos, in 2002. Anthopoulos was working in the Expos front office at the time. DAVIS SIGNS WITH TIGERS It was a foregone conclusion Rajai Davis wouldnt be returning to the Blue Jays. A free agent for the first time, Davis inked a two-year contract with the Detroit Tigers. According to reports, the deal is for $10 million. Davis spent three seasons with the Blue Jays, compiling a slash line of .252/.299/.369 in 345 games. He stole 125 bases in a Toronto uniform. The Blue Jays will look to go younger and cheaper to fill Davis roster spot. Anthony Gose, a less refined base stealer at this point in his career, figures to be the prime candidate to replace Davis. Moises Sierra, whos out of options and has been playing some first base in Dominican League winter ball, will receive consideration. Kevin Pillar is another option, although less likely given his offensive struggles as a late-season call-up. cheap nfl jerseys wholesale jerseys ' ' '