Oliver Luck Reportedly Frontrunner for Texas Athletic Director Job

The Oliver Luck-to-Texas rumors are picking up more traction.

Speculated to be the frontrunner for the past month or so, Luck, the West Virginia athletic director, could be named Texas' new AD by mid-November, according to Chip Brown of OrangeBloods.com. Per the report, Luck is expected to interview with a seven-member advisory committee. 

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Luck's interview with the committee could come as early as this week. If all goes as expected, a contract could be finalized Nov. 13 or 14, when Texas regents are already scheduled to meet.

Nothing is expected to be announced before Texas and West Virginia meet in Morgantown on Nov. 9. 

But the Mountaineers have a bye week after their game at Kansas on Nov. 16, so an official announcement could come then.

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Other names in consideration, per Brown, include Arizona State athletic director Steve Patterson. 

But Luck is a well-known figure in college athletics and has been named one of the 13 members of College Football Playoff's selection committee. He's also given credit for getting WVU out of the Big East and into the Big 12. His ties to Texas, where he earned a law degree, give him a natural connection. 

However, Luck has also been criticized for removing former coach Bill Stewart and hiring head coach Dana Holgorsen, who is 10-11 since winning the 2012 Orange Bowl. According to Brown, "Sources say Luck has privately acknowledged to key Texas officials he mishandled that situation and has learned from it."

Luck has not commented publicly on the rumors. 

But if Luck does end up at Texas, it could create an interesting situation with head coach Mack Brown. The Longhorns are undefeated in Big 12 play after starting the year 1-2. It was during those back-to-back losses to BYU and Ole Miss that Brown's future looked very much in doubt. Now, the 'Horns are in the mix for a conference title. 

If Luck succeeds current Texas AD DeLoss Dodds, who announced at the beginning of October that he would retire next year, one of his first tasks will be to figure out what to do with Brown.