San Jose State picked up a new athletic director Thursday.
And his former school picked up a little extra cash.
Gene Bleymaier, the longtime Boise State AD who was fired last summer after an NCAA investigation of the Broncos’ athletic department, will oversee San Jose State’s transition from its final year in the WAC to joining the Mountain West in July 2013.
Bleymaier starts June 30, the same day Boise State will no longer have to pay his annual salary of $266,115 through June 2013.
He signed a five-year contract worth $220,092 annually, the same state salary as his predecessor, Tom Bowen, who accepted a similar position at Memphis last month. Bleymaier also will earn an annual supplement of $102,000 from San Jose State’s Tower Foundation through private donations.
San Jose State President Mohammad Qayoumi said Bleymaier’s compliance issues were raised through the hiring process.
“Let me assure you I shared those same concerns,’’ Qayoumi said. “After thoroughly discussing these issues with the NCAA and Gene, and considering Gene’s extraordinary 30-year career, I am confident he is the right choice for San Jose State.’’
Said Bleymaier: “I take responsibility and learned a tremendous amount.’’
His goals at San Jose State are to broaden the fan base, address the need for new facilities — the Spartans are in the early stages of building a football operations center — and increase fundraising.
“We need more money as we move into the Mountain West,’’ he said. “We intend to compete at the highest level, and for that you have to have money.’’
Bleymaier, the only candidate interviewed for the position, was well-received by the football team.
“He understands athletics, he understands people, and he understands how to take a program to a different level,’’ San Jose State coach Mike MacIntyre told the San Jose Mercury News.
MacIntyre, a former Duke defensive coordinator who is 6-19 after two seasons with the Spartans, was on the search committee and spent a day with Bleymaier earlier this week.
“I know some coaches who have worked for him and they think the world of him,’’ MacIntyre said.
Said linebacker Vince Buhagiar: “(Bleymaier) knows what it takes to win and that’s the plan here.’’
Jon Wilner of the San Jose Mercury News contributed to this report.
