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Dave Hart: Vols Athletic Director Retiring Next Year

By Caleb Calhoun

Feb 2, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers vice chancellor and director of athletics Dave Hart reacts after defeating the Kentucky Wildcats at Thompson-Boling Arena. Tennessee won 84 to 77. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 2, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers vice chancellor and director of athletics Dave Hart reacts after defeating the Kentucky Wildcats at Thompson-Boling Arena. Tennessee won 84 to 77. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tennessee Volunteers Athletics Director Dave Hart announced that he will step down from his position at the end of next year, according to reports.

Entering his sixth season with the program, Tennessee Vols AD Dave Hart announced his retirement from the position effective June 30, 2017.

Hart’s announcement comes nearly two months after Tennessee president Jimmy Cheek announced his decision to step down and return to teaching.

Related Story: Dave Hart's Five Biggest Moves for Tennessee Athletics

The announcement went up on UTSports. Hart choked up a little bit early on.

Here is the full video of his announcement.

Despite his connections to Alabama, Hart never stopped working for Tennessee. His tenure with the program was marked by bold moves across the board.

That includes knowing that he had to force out Pat Summitt, overseeing the merger of the men’s and women’s athletic departments, getting rid of the Lady Vols name with the switch to Nike except for women’s basketball, and of course, overseeing a major head coaching change in football.

And he touted much of the successes, particularly putting the program back in financial shape.

Of course, Hart did make mistakes. He messed up with Donnie Tyndall in men’s basketball. However, he rectified that with Rick Barnes.

As a result, his tenure overall is a success so far.

Right now, the athletic program is in much better shape than it was when Hart took over. The outlook is much better.

From the changes in the football program to the death of Summitt, Hart oversaw many major events in Tennessee history.

Because of things he has done, he is right to have excitement surrounding the future of the program. And with lots of expectations behind the football program, he likely hopes to go out with a bang.

must read: Tennessee Football: 10 Things that Set the Vols Apart from Other SEC Teams

Now, the pressure is on Tennessee football to deliver Hart a send-off national championship. Women’s basketball getting to the Final Four and men’s basketball making the NCAA Tournament can help.

Meanwhile, if Dave Serrano can get baseball to postseason play and softball contends for a national title, he could have the best sendoff ever.

Lots of things could happen, but either way, most Vols fans are likely happy with the moves he’s made.

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