Bill McGillis has been in the shadows of UNM Athletics Director Rudy Davalos, watching and learning how to run an athletics department. Now McGillis will step out to be the head man at the University of Evansville.
McGillis, senior associate athletics director at UNM since December 1998, was named the director of athletics for the Purple Aces on Thursday.
"Because of my experience at UNM, I am now well prepared to assume a director of athletics position at a Division I school," McGillis said in a University statement. "Much like the Lobos are to Albuquerque, the Purple Aces are to the city of Evansville and Southern Indiana.
"I hope and expect we will enjoy much of the same success at Evansville as we did at UNM."
He replaces Bob Gallman, who was the school's athletics director during the past 20 months.
"I have certainly enjoyed my time at the University of New Mexico," McGillis said. "I've worked with a lot of good people. It's been a great experience professionally and Albuquerque has been a great place for our family."
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He officially begins his duties at Evansville on June 1.
McGillis' first order of business at Evansville is to hire a men's head basketball coach.
Former coach Jim Crews was named head coach at Army last month.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for Bill," Davalos said. "Naturally, we will miss him, but anytime someone on my staff has the opportunity to further their career I will always support them. Bill is not the first person to leave my staff to become an athletics director and he won't be the last."
The 39-year-old McGillis arrived at UNM in 1997 after a stint as general manager of the Columbus Quest of the women's American Basketball League.
He also spent six years working for Davalos at the University of Houston, starting in 1984.
"Personally, I would like to thank Rudy Davalos for the opportunity he gave me at UNM and his friendship throughout the years," he said. "The University of New Mexico is fortunate to have Rudy leading the program."
Davalos said he does not have a specific timeline for filling McGillis' position.
Staff Report
