AUSTIN - Jody Conradt, the women's athletic director at Texas since 1992, is stepping down from that position but will remain the women's basketball coach, Conradt announced Thursday.
"I have appreciated the opportunity to serve the university. But my heart and my passion are about coaching women's basketball," said Conradt, 59, the winningest women's college basketball coach in Division I history with 745 career victories.
"I look forward to dedicating all of my time forward to our players and coaching staff. We have made significant progress over the past two years. We have a strong staff and an excellent incoming recruiting class. We intend to be an improved basketball team next season."
Chris Plonsky, 43, who has served as a senior associate athletic director for men's athletics, will take over Conradt's responsibilities on an interim basis. Plonsky will have a new title: senior associate athletic director for men's and women's athletics.
"Jody has displayed an extraordinary commitment to Texas athletics," said Patricia Ohlendorf, UT vice president for institutional relations and legal affairs who oversees both men's and women's athletics departments.
"The university requested that she handle two jobs, and her leadership was critical during a difficult period of time in our athletics history. Her accomplishments as women's basketball coach are legendary, and as women's athletics director, she continued the tradition of excellence that has been a hallmark of the department since its beginning."
Ohlendorf said that she will chair a small adhoc advisory committee to study the optimal future organizational structure for athletics. During the last eight years, many student-athlete support areas offered by both men's and women's athletics departments have combined either as working units or have combined to operate out of one area, including sports medicine, strength and conditioning, fund-raising and development, media relations, marketing, and ticket operations.
Conradt took over as women's athletic director in 1992, succeeding Donna Lopiano, who left to head the Women's Sports Foundation in East Meadow, N.Y.
"It was never intended for Jody to do double duty as long as she did," Lopiano said Thursday. "She should be applauded for the job she has done. She's going back to what she wants. She is the heart and soul of women's athletics at Texas."
Conradt's hires include track coach Beverly Kearney, who has won four national titles at Texas, as well as tennis coach Jeff Moore, who has won two national titles.
UT women have won 39 conference championships in seven different sports during Conradt's tenure as athletic director.
[an error occurred while processing this directive]