Tennessee hires Kansas State's John Currie as AD

Tennessee has found its man.

The Volunteers announced the hiring of Kansas State's John Currie to be their new athletic director. Currie has served in the same role for the Wildcats since 2009.

"It is a very exciting time for my family and me as we return to a place that remains very special to us," Currie said. "We spent 10 years in Knoxville prior to taking the job at K-State, and I appreciate Chancellor Beverly Davenport and the University of Tennessee for providing us this special opportunity.

"As a graduate of the University of Tennessee, I know how much UT athletics means to the people in the state, and I look forward to serving all of the Big Orange Nation, its wonderful coaches, staff and student-athletes, for many years to come. We are excited to return to Rocky Top."

Currie worked for Tennessee as an associate athletic director prior to joining Kansas State. Among his accomplishments with the Wildcats was overseeing a Big 12 title-winning team in football in 2012 and in basketball in 2013, becoming just the fourth BCS school since 1998 to win league titles in football, men's basketball, and baseball in the same academic year.

Under Currie's watch, Kansas State was one of just two-dozen programs in the country to operate in the black without any state tax, university tuition dollars, or subsidies.

It was a lengthy search to secure a new athletic director in Knoxville, with former head coach Phillip Fulmer reported to be the frontrunner back in January.

Currie will begin his duties starting in April.