With little explanation in a surprisingly brief, terse note, Florida State president T.K. Wetherell let athletic director Dave Hart know he ought to be looking for a new job.
"As we move forward this year, I would like to share with you important information so that you may plan ahead. In an effort to provide you as much notice as possible, this is to advise you in writing that your employment agreement dated January, 27, 1999 will not be extended," Wetherell wrote in a letter he sent to Hart on May 29 and obtained by the Times.
Hart's deal runs out in January, 2009, or about 18 months from now.
Wetherell just returned from vacation on Tuesday and isn't speaking to the media, at least until he's had a chance to meet with Hart today, according to FSU officials. The two aren't particularly close and offer sharp contrasts in personality and management style; Wetherell is more aggressive, Hart more measured.
"While we look forward to continued successes and progress with the Athletics Department at Florida State University during this period and beyond, in an abundance of fairness, I wanted to provide you this notice for your own planning purposes," Wetherell concluded his letter.
Hart released a statement saying he was "surprised" by the letter but that he plans to "fulfill the terms of my obligations which I committed to contracturally more than eight years ago (under then President Sandy D'Alemberte) when my contract was last extended."
If he does, he receives a one-time bonus of $300,000. He currently earns more than $500,000 a year in total compensation
"My focus will remain on the task at hand which is doing my job as director of athletics at Florida State University to the best of my abilities in the same professional manner I've always tried to maintain in representing our University," said Hart, who has helped dramatically upgrade existing athletic facilities and erect new ones as well as exert his influence on the nation scene (he spearheaded ACC expansion and lobbied to bring the ACC men's basketball tournament to Florida for the first time).
"I value my association with our alumni, boosters, fans, faculty, staff, coaches, students and other constituents and stakeholders who care about Florida State University. Since my arrival at Florida State, I've had a desire and design to finish my athletics administration career as a Seminole. If, in the final analysis, that is not possible then I will do the best I can as long as I'm in that role."