The Pac-12 has hired former NFL player Merton Hanks as its new head of football operations to replace Woodie Dixon who recently left the conference for a role in a different industry. Here is what the Pac-12 says Hanks' role will be for the league.
"In his new role, Hanks will be responsible for all aspects of Pac-12 football administration, including all football initiatives and programs such as scheduling, officiating, replay command center, operations, Pac-12 Football Championship Game and bowl relationships. He will also serve as the primary contact for Pac-12 athletic directors and football coaches, bowl partners and NCAA administrators on football matters. Hanks will report directly to Commissioner Larry Scott and be based out of the Conference’s headquarters in San Francisco."
“I am excited to be joining the Conference of Champions and to have the opportunity to contribute to the continued growth of the Pac-12’s football programs,” Hanks said in a statement. “The Pac-12 boasts world class universities and an incredible football history, and I look forward to working with the Pac-12 athletic directors, administrators, and Commissioner Scott’s great team to support our student-athletes success on and off the field.”
After his NFL career, mostly with the San Francisco 49ers, came to an end Hanks worked for the NFL as the vice president of football operations and compliance for 13 years. He was most recently senior associate commissioner for Conference USA.
Hiring someone with actual knowledge of football in the position is certainly a step in the right direction for the league and he is reportedly focused on improving officiating in the Pac-12.
