The Southern Methodist University (SMU) Mustangs have ushered in a new era with the appointment of Damon Evans as their athletic director. Evans, formerly in the same role at the University of Maryland, was announced via the school's social media channels. This move comes at a pivotal time for SMU, particularly after their recent appearance in the College Football Playoff and their transition into the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), alongside institutions like California and Stanford in 2024.

"SMU has tremendous momentum in all aspects of its athletics program, but I believe we can push to even greater heights," Evans stated, expressing his enthusiasm for the new role. The university's search committee co-chair and Board of Trustees Chair, David Miller, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the desire to find a leader who aligns with SMU's vision for national prominence. Evans' experience in both the Big 10 and SEC conferences was a key factor in his selection.

SMU's football program, despite past challenges including the infamous "death penalty" in the 1980s, has re-emerged as a formidable force and a valuable brand within the ACC. The basketball program has also shown promise, concluding its first season in the ACC with an NIT bid and an impressive 24 wins. Evans' arrival signals a commitment to further investment in the basketball program, aiming to return the Mustangs to the NCAA tournament, a feat they haven't achieved since 2017. The program is currently under the guidance of coach Andy Enfield, who previously led both USC and Florida Gulf Coast to NCAA tournament appearances.

Maryland, on the other hand, faces a significant setback with Evans' departure. He was instrumental in ongoing negotiations for a major contract extension with basketball coach Kevin Willard, intended to place him among the top 10 highest-paid coaches in college basketball. Additionally, plans for a state-of-the-art basketball practice facility are now uncertain. Evans acknowledged the difficulty of leaving Maryland, stating, "While it is never easy to leave an institution that has become part of your family, the opportunity to come to SMU was too great to pass up." In the interim, Colleen Sorem will serve as the athletic director at Maryland.

The timing of Evans' departure coincides with Maryland's participation in the NCAA men's basketball tournament, where they have advanced to the Round of 32. Coach Kevin Willard addressed rumors about his potential departure amidst the administrative changes, stating, "There's no situation. The only situation is you guys and Twitter, and I can't control you guys, and I can't control Twitter." Willard emphasized his focus on the team's performance and his inability to control external speculation.

Maryland's basketball team has had a strong season, finishing second in the Big Ten with 14 conference wins and a total of 26 wins. Willard's leadership has been pivotal, leading the Terrapins to two NCAA tournament appearances in his three seasons. The university had seemed prepared to offer Willard a substantial contract extension and invest in new facilities, but these plans are now in flux due to the change in athletic leadership. As Maryland seeks a new athletic director, the future of these initiatives, and Willard's long-term commitment to the program, remains uncertain, a situation closely monitored by Terrapins fans.