The University of Southern Mississippi is looking for a new Athletic Director, after Richard Giannini announced his retirement, effective in January. This news is on the heels of other changes in USM's athletic department, with Head Football Coach Larry Fedora leaving to coach the North Carolina Tar Heels. Giannini told WDAM TV, "With Larry leaving and the 2011 football team winning more games than any other team in history, and topping that with a conference championship, it is a perfect time for me to retire."

In another athletic department's shakeup, RC Johnson announced his retirement from the University of Memphis following the firing of the school's head football coach, Larry Porter. The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports Johnson made the announcement at a press conference that was held to answer questions about the search for a new football coach, along with confirming his retirement.

After Colorado State University fired Athletic Director Paul Kowalczyk with three years remaining on his contract, CSU President Tony Frank did not delay in finding a replacement. Colorado State alumnus John "Jack" Graham was hired shortly after, without the use of a search committee. Frank told the Denver Post that he hopes Graham will be able to boost donations to the school. Although Graham is a novice in the athletic administration field, the Washington Post reports that his strategy is simple: Maintaining the school's clean image, keeping academic standards high, and winning.

Finances are making headlines for Rutgers University - after being on the job for two years, Athletic Director Tim Pernetti is being scrutinized for having a significant gap in his department's budget, over-spending by $26.8 million. Pernetti was hired in 2009, with a goal of improving the department's financial state. However, New Jersey Real Time News reports that yearly losses have not hampered department spending, which reached $64.3 million to fund the department's 24 sports this year. Meanwhile, across campus, the school has been forced to undertake a number of cutbacks--including pulling the cord on faculty members' office phones.

Boise State University is another school that recently hired a new athletic director with little experience in athletic administration. The school's new AD, Mark Coyle, is experienced in sports marketing for universities, and plans on using those skills to improve the school's branding and fundraising. Those skills were important for the search committee, since marketing and branding are gaining importance for athletic departments. BSU President Bob Kustra told the Arbiter Online,

"In this day and age it's becoming more and more important for us to find a way to take the Bronco Nation on the road, so to speak."

The need to react quickly prompted Texas A&M Athletic Director Bill Byrne to fire the school's head football coach, Mike Sherman, over the phone. Byrne had to call Sherman's cell phone to deliver the news, since the story was posted on Twitter, having been leaked to the media. MySanAntonio.com reports that Bryne would have preferred to handle the situation differently,

"'Needless to say, calling Mike on the phone was one of the hardest things I've had to do,' Byrne wrote Wednesday in his weekly online address. 'That's not how I like to conduct business.'"

Several schools have also recently announced the hiring of new athletic directors:

Muhlenberg College (Allentown, PA) has appointed Corey Goff as its new Athletic Director

Rockhurst University (Kansas City, MO) named its baseball coach, Gary Burns as the school's Athletic Director. Burns will continue his coaching duties, as well.

The University of Texas at Arlington promoted Jim Baker to Athletic Director. Previously, Baker held the position of Associate Athletic Director for Events and Operations.

Western Carolina University (Cullowhee, NC) named Randy Eaton as its new Athletic Director.

Northland College (Ashland, WI) appointed Bill Wilson as its Athletic Director.

Kristin Maki is an Editorial Assistant at Athletic Management.