The K-State administration will take on a new face next year at both president and athletic director positions after Bob Krause resigned Tuesday from his post as K-State athletics director.
The decision to step down comes less than 10 months after Krause replaced former athletics director Tim Weiser, who now serves as deputy commissioner of the Big 12 Conference.
“For almost a year now, I have worked with the athletics department since this has been a high priority for the university as it makes a transition of leadership in the President’s office,” Krause said in a statement Tuesday. “I believe the department is in very good shape. We have excellent coaches in place at all levels.
“The restructuring of administrative responsibilities have our resources aligned with the goals of positioning our teams to compete for championships — the senior staff has a wealth of experience and effective internal and external working relationships.”
The change comes in light of an article published by the Topeka Capital-Journal. The article surfaced late in the evening of Jan. 21 as reports became published about a dispute between President Jon Wefald and Weiser.
The dispute resulted in a $1.9 million settlement being issued to Weiser just a year after he was awarded a 10-year extension in 2006, but due to irreconcilable differences with decision-making and control within the athletic department, Wefald and Weiser decided to part ways.
The departure ends a short but tumultuous career as athletics director for Krause, who took the job in April 2008 after serving more than 21 years as the vice president for institutional advancement at K-State.
Krause rewarded former K-State football coach Ron Prince with a contract extension to go along with an increased yearly salary. Prince’s buyout was also increased from $300,000 to $1.2 million, which the university must now pay off after his firing in November 2008.
A significant reason for Krause taking the position at the time was to continue the fundraising efforts of the $70 million Wildcat Victory campaign, which is set to break ground this coming fall.
The project consists of two phases, which include new practice facilities and a Hall of Fame built at Bramlage Coliseum.
There is no indication of when Phase II will begin, but it might include an expansion to the football press box to make it reach from end zone to end zone.
$35 million of the project is set to be bonded, with the rest coming from important donors at K-State.
Krause said everything still remains intact with the project.
“The Wildcat Victory campaign has close to $6 million committed and the expansion project is well underway,” Krause said in a statement released Tuesday. “The budget is balanced and the three-year financing plan should allow the department to have stability and achieve its goals.”
Krause has been reassigned and will now serve as the director of development for the K-State Olathe Innovation Campus, effective March 31.
In his new role, Krause will become the head of the fundraising efforts for the Olathe campus, which has been in the planning and early development stages for 10 years.
Wefald announced that current Deputy Athletics Director Jim Epps will serve as the Interim Athletics Director beginning March 31, until a new athletic director is chosen by the next K-State president.