Savannah State University AD O'Neal resigns

More information on the Savannah State athletic department situation...

Photo: SSU Former AD Robert "Tony" O'Neal

By Noell Barnidge, Savannah Morning News

Savannah State University athletics director Robert "Tony" O'Neal unexpectedly resigned Thursday from the position he had held for three years.

SSU vice president for administration Claud Flythe has appointed Paula Jackson as interim athletics director. Flythe was hired in June by new SSU President Earl Yarbrough to a newly created position to oversee athletics, facilities operations and public safety.

Jackson, who has worked at SSU since 2005, is the senior women's administrator and assistant athletics director for compliance.

"It's time to look out for Tony," O'Neal said. "It hasn't always been easy, but it's been a very rewarding experience."

O'Neal will assume other athletics-related duties at SSU.
"I will be working with (Flythe), implementing my parts of the strategic plan, the financial piece," O'Neal said.

Asked if he would remain at SSU after the school year, O'Neal said, "I haven't thought beyond that. Right now, my focus is on doing the necessary things to enhance athletics at Savannah State University."

Jackson said of O'Neal's resignation: "This decision took me by surprise today. The information that I got today is there will not be a search anytime soon. I will have the opportunity to move into the full-time position. It just depends on my performance."

Photo: Paula Jackson, SSU Interim AD and Director of Compliance/Senior Women’s Administrator

O'Neal became SSU's 14th athletics director on Aug. 1, 2004, when he was hired by former president Carlton Brown.

During O'Neal's tenure, SSU's football program was placed on probation for three years by the NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions.

Last May, following an investigation that began Oct. 18, 2004, the NCAA found SSU guilty of violations in recruiting, playing and practice seasons, financial aid, ethical conduct and institutional control.

In men's basketball, SSU finished 0-28 during the 2004-05 season. The football team followed with a 0-11 record in 2005.

Also during O'Neal's tenure, SSU's athletics department was certified by the NCAA as a Division I program, and he revitalized the athletics lettermen program. At the annual banquet, athletes are awarded letterman jackets, plaques, trophies, watches and scholarships.

O'Neal also led SSU's attempt to join a Division I conference by submitting a $10,000 non-refundable application fee to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in May 2005. MEAC Commissioner Dennis Thomas said the conference will reconsider SSU's application after the school's NCAA probation ends May 18, 2009.

O'Neal came to SSU from Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Fla., where he served as Associate Athletics Director for Compliance for four years.

Jackson, a native of Baton Rouge, La., came to SSU from Morehead State University, where she served as an assistant athletics director and senior women's administrator. She has held the same positions at Clark-Atlanta University.

"First and foremost, I'm still in the position of compliance director," Jackson said. "Being in athletics, this has always been a goal: to be an athletics director. This is right in step with my goals."

SSU sports information director Opio Mashariki said the Tigers' coaches were asked to refer all media questions to him.

Flythe, in a press release sent by SSU on Thursday night, said, "Paula Jackson has full power and authority to exercise as the interim athletic director. She has full support from my office and the president's office."

Link: http://www.savstate.edu/Athletics/athleticdept/2007_Staff_Bios/asst-athl-dir_Paula-Jackson.htm