New A.D. happy at Weber

OGDEN -- Up to his nose in various duties as WSU interim athletic director, Jerry Graybeal sounded like he barely had enough time to take an important phone call earlier this week.

Graybeal said he was busy working at his desk when he picked up the phone. It was Norm Tarbox, Weber State's vice president for Administrative Services, and he had a proposition for the former WSU coach.

"He offered me the job (as athletic director). I accepted immediately," Graybeal said. "Then it was back to work."

Although he said his wife is still yelling and screaming with elation, Graybeal admits he's had little time for the news to sink in.

"We're in full swing. I've been so busy with the daily role as interim," Graybeal said. "But there was relief involved. I felt the finality of (the announcement)."

Graybeal was offered the position over finalists Ken Beazer and Greg Byrne. He has served as interim director since April when Bill Weidner left to take a job with the University of Central Florida.

The news comes almost a year after Graybeal resigned as WSU football coach, following a 1-10 season. He was grateful the hiring committee didn't hold that last season against him when considering him for the job.

"That season was difficult but showed (I had) strength of character," Graybeal said. "I've always maintained loyalty to this school and last season didn't tarnish that. Fortunately, the administration awarded me for that characteristic. I plan to take that approach when battling through (future) situations (associated with this job)."

Three things that helped Graybeal's resume rise to the top were his knowledge of athletics and the Big Sky Conference, an understanding of problems that Wildcat coaches are facing and stability.

Yes, there was no doubt he had an edge over the other finalists because of his current status on campus. But more than his internal connections, he simply loves Weber State. Graybeal's 25-year coaching career included stints at three schools, including Weber State.

"There is something to be said for that. That was a main portion of my platform," Graybeal said. "I genuinely want to be here."

For the future, Graybeal hopes to increase Weber State's position in the Big Sky by improving facilities and increasing funding to the athletic department. Facility priorities include upgrading the practice fields for the football and women's soccer teams.

"We want to give coaches a chance to win on a consistent basis," Graybeal said.

Graybeal said the biggest challenge facing the athletic department was drawing attention to the program.

"We need to increase support and visibility all across the board," Graybeal said. "We already got a great jump on it with football."

The 2005 football season marks the first fall in 23 years that Graybeal and former WSU assistant coach J.D. Sollars are not coaching together. Sollars was not retained by Ron McBride and accepted a job as the offensive coordinator at Northern Arizona. Sollars is happy for his friend.

"He's a wise choice. There are a lot of athletic directors who have never been in the trenches. Having someone with a coaches' perspective who can be sympathetic to a coaches' needs is important," Sollars said. "He'll do a great job."

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