Connecticut Athletic Director Takes Job at North Carolina State

RALEIGH, N.C. —  Todd Turner took the athletic director’s job at North Carolina State Friday, saying the school’s dismissal of basketball coach Jim Valvano made his decision easier.

“The most important challenge is to rebuild trust and rebuild credibility in the athletic community,” said Turner, who had been athletic director at the University of Connecticut for the past three years. “You don’t earn that trust until you prove that academics is the first priority.”

Turner agreed to a three-year contract at $105,000 per year.

Turner refused to confirm reports that East Tennessee Coach Les Robinson would be hired next week as the Wolfpack basketball coach, but confirmed that he had spoken with Robinson and said a decision would be made soon.

The basketball program was placed on two years’ probation by the NCAA in December after players received cash and items of value in exchange for tickets and basketball shoes.