Report: ASU’s Steve Patterson is the favorite for Texas AD job

Is he staying or going?

That’s the question surrounding Arizona State vice president of athletics Steve Patterson.

The University of Texas is looking for a new athletic director to take over for the retiring DeLoss Dodds, and according to Chip Brown of Orangebloods.com, Patterson, along with West Virginia AD Oliver Luck, is a finalist for the job.

Pete Thamel of Sports Illustrated took that a step further Tuesday morning when he reported that Patterson is the favorite for the job.

Patterson and West Virginia AD Oliver Luck are the final two candidates for the Longhorns job, the official said. Luck has been the reported favorite for weeks, but the official said that Patterson may have an edge because of his “marketing experience” and “business experience.”

Patterson earned both an undergraduate degree and a law degree from UT, while Luck also holds a Texas law degree. Writes Brown:

Patterson made a strong impression during a weekend interview with the UT advisory committee assisting in the AD search.

There were reports last week that Patterson had turned down an informal offer from Texas for the position, but the AD himself declined to verify that report in an interview with Burns and Gambo on Arizona Sports 620.

“I’m not confirming any report,” he said Thursday. “I’m focused on the job I’ve got right here today.”

According to Brown, both candidates have strong attributes that are attractive to the UT search committee.

Those who know both Luck and Patterson say Luck has the more engaging personality for schmoozing with boosters. While they say Patterson has a more cerebral, no-nonsense approach that also appealed to committee members.

Brown also reported a decision on UT’s hire could come in the next week.

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