Southeast Missouri State University has a new athletic director. Mark Alnutt was associate athletics director at the University of Missouri, and he has a deep connection with the athletics department here.
He played linebacker and tight end for the Tigers in the early 90’s, and rejoined the football staff in 1998. He worked his way up from graduate assistant to his most recent post. The 39-year old says it was a difficult decision to leave Mizzou.
“I know that I needed to make a step somewhere. And the thing about me, I’m a Missouri guy. So when this job opened up and I had a chance to be in Missouri, that’s great. But you know, it’s special when you have a chance to work for your alma mater, and at the level that I did. But now I see an opportunity for us to establish roots someplace else, but it’s all in Missouri, which is good,” Allnutt said.
Alnutt received a five-year contract. Exact details of his salary are not yet finalized. The university received 73 applicants for the position. President Ken Dobbins says the application pool included four sitting athletic directors. The position opened up last summer following John Schafer’s retirement.