Good hire? Reactions to U of L promoting interim Josh Heird to full-time athletic director

The University of Louisville has its next athletics director: Josh Heird.

Heird on Friday was formally promoted to the position full time after serving in an interim role since the departure of athletics director Vince Tyra in December.

Heird has served two stints at Louisville. From 2007-16, he was the assistant athletic director for championships and facilities. He returned to the program in 2019 as its deputy athletic director after spending a year at Villanova.

In his time as interim AD, Heird weathered U of L's split with men's basketball coach Chris Mack and oversaw the search for his replacement, which ended in the hiring of Kenny Payne.

Bringing Payne back to his alma mater received near-universal praise initially, and the good vibes have kept rolling since. Payne has reinvigorated the team during his first months at the helm through experienced additions to his coaching staff and momentum on the recruiting trail.

In addition to the Payne hire, Heird as interim AD created a standalone name, image and likeness department and bolstered Louisville football's recruiting resources, which has the Cardinals' 2023 class ranked among the Top 10 in the country.

Here's a look at how Louisville coaches and other members of the sports world reacted to the news of Heird's promotion:

Louisville men's basketball coach Kenny Payne

Payne attended Heird's introductory news conference Friday morning. Here's a look at how the U of L men's basketball coach celebrated the man who hired him on social media.

"This is my AD!" Payne wrote in a tweet. So happy for @joshheird."

Louisville football coach Scott Satterfield

"Congratulations @joshheird," Louisville football coach Scott Satterfield wrote in a tweet. "Looking forward to winning Championships with you!!"

Louisville women's basketball coach Jeff Walz

"Congratulations to our new Director of Athletics @JoshHeird," Louisville women's basketball coach Jeff Walz wrote in a tweet. "Well deserved! #GoCards"

Louisville baseball coach Dan McDonnell

Louisville baseball coach Dan McDonnell got right to the point when asked about how Heird carried himself as interim athletic director.

"About as good as you can do, right?" McDonnell said Thursday while previewing the Cardinals' NCAA Tournament regional at Jim Patterson Stadium.

"I told Josh. I was like, 'Man, I'm a bigger believer today of the (Payne) hire than I was the day you hired him.' Not because I didn't believe in him; I just didn't know. I didn't know the connection he had to this university (was) as deep as it was and the connection (to) basketball, amateur basketball, professional basketball. So I'm a believer.

"Let's face it: When you evaluate Josh, that's what you're doing, right? The basketball hire's the biggest hire at this university, and he was front and center of that."

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McDonnell also heaped praise on Heird from the time he spent working with him during his first stint at Louisville.

"He knows me. He knows this program, and so I've always been comfortable with him, you know, in the role that he's been in.

Dr. Mark Lynn, Jim Patterson and Lonnie Ali

Two of Louisville Athletics' biggest boosters and Muhammad Ali's widow are staunch supporters of former athletics director Tom Jurich. The former AD had shown interest in returning to the university but according to an associate was unwilling to sign a non-disclosure agreement, as Heird had.

After reports of Heird's hire surfaced, Lynn and Patterson, who have combined to donate more than $10 million to the athletic department, and Ali wrote a letter to interim president Lori Gonzalez. In it, they express frustration that "the best candidate in terms of experience and proven documented success was not granted a personal interview."

"The fact that Tom has retained his love for the university after the disgraceful manner in which he was terminated speaks volumes and is a small miracle in itself. We find it bizarre that he was not given the respect of a proper professional interview."

Jurich's 20-year tenure at U of L ended in the fallout from the federal probe of basketball recruiting irregularities in 2017.

Louisville names Josh Heird AD: Tom Jurich backers protest treatment of 'best candidate'

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear

"Today is a great day for the University of Louisville, with the official appointment of Josh Heird as permanent athletic director," Gov. Andy Beshear said in a news release from Louisville Athletics. "Josh has proven to be a strong leader who will not only champion the school, but also the incredible student athletes. I believe there are very bright days ahead for U of L athletics, and Josh will be a stable, guiding force through this exciting time."

Louisville swim coach Arthur Albiero

"Today is a great day for UofL!" swim coach Arthur Albiero wrote in a tweet. "I am thrilled and honored to serve our athletic department under Josh Heird! #GoCards"

Louisville track/field, cross-country coach Dale Cowper

"Josh Heird is an excellent administrator with experience at all levels of collegiate athletics," U of L track/field, cross-country coach Dale Cowper wrote in a tweet. "His ability to develop and continue authentic, honest, and straightforward relationships will move our department forward within the ACC and NCAA landscape! #GoCards"

Louisville rowing coach Derek Copeland

"This is a great day for Cardinal Nation," U of L rowing coach Derek Copeland said in a statement tweeted from the team's official account. "@joshheird is an excellent choice to lead us. I have the utmost confidence that his decision-making process always prioritizes our student-athletes."

Atlantic Coast Conference Commissioner Jim Phillips

"Josh has done a tremendous job leading the University of Louisville which is evident with today's announcement that he will permanently lead the Cardinals as their athletic director," Commissioner Jim Phillips said in a statement tweeted by the ACC.

"He has already made significant contributions during his time around the ACC AD table and we know that will only continue. To be certain, Lori Gonzalez and the search committee made an outstanding hire. Congratulations to Josh, Abbey and their entire family."

Eric Granger, general manager of the KFC Yum! Center

"I am very excited at the news that @joshheird has been named the next Director of Athletics!" Granger wrote in a tweet. "He is the consummate professional, advocate for the University and the student-athletes and a pleasure to work with it.  Look forward to great things!  @GoCards!"

Villanova men's basketball coach Jay Wright

Heird only spent a year working with Jay Wright at Villanova, but U of L's new athletic director appears to have made a lasting impression with the Wildcats' Hall of Fame men's basketball coach.

"Congrats to @GoCards @joshheird!" Wright wrote in a tweet Thursday. "Josh to be the next Athletic Director — big win for Louisville — Josh former Associate AD for  @NovaMBB — one of the best ever! NovaNation is proud of Josh and Abbey."

Villanova athletic director Mark Jackson

Villanova Vice President and Director of Athletics Mark Jackson echoed Wright's sentiments in expressing his congratulations to Heird and his family.

"No one better than @joshheird to lead @GoCardsinto the future," Jackson wrote of his former colleague in a tweet Thursday. "Forever appreciative of all he did for @NovaAthletics … a great leader, administrator and, most importantly, a great friend. V’s up to the entire Heird Family!!!"

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Reactions to Louisville hiring Josh Heird as its new athletic director