Dave Hart glad to be at Alabama

TUSCALOOSA — Dave Hart didn’t come to the University of Alabama to take Mal Moore’s job.

But he’ll be doing much of it in Alabama’s newly created position of executive athletics director. Moore introduced Hart on campus Thursday.

“His responsibility will be the day-to-day operations of the athletic department and he will report to me,” Moore said. “In my thinking, it will give me an opportunity to do some things that I want to accomplish, in regards to some facilities and some things we want to get done here in the next two to three years.”

But after Hart’s hiring was announced on July 30, it didn’t take long for speculation to start about Hart’s hiring — and Moore’s status.

“Well, I’ll tell you what I said to him,” Moore said. “That I was offering him the position that he’s taking. But I’m not in a position to offer anything (else). ’Cause I’m aware that a lot of people would like to have my job. But I like it, too.”

When laughter in the room subsided, Hart, an Alabama graduate who was the AD at Florida State for more than 12 years (1995-2007), offered his perspective.

“I didn’t come here with any promises — I want to make that clear,” he said. “I didn’t come here because Mal’s ready to retire. He’s not. I came here to try to help make a difference.”

Hart, who was East Carolina’s AD for eight years before going to Florida State, said the transition has been smooth so far.

He said he was particularly impressed after meeting Alabama coach Nick Saban and university president Dr. Robert Witt.

“I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but he’s pretty driven,” Hart said of his meeting with Saban. “Don’t know if anybody’s picked up on that.

“He’s very competitive, very passionate. Nothing extraordinary ever happens minus those traits. He’s got a great vision, roadmap of where he wants to go and how to get the program back to national prominence.”

Hart said the meeting with Witt “made a lasting impression on me, an indelible impression.”

“He’s an impressive leader,” Hart said. “He’s the type of person as he was talking about the university and his vision of what’s already occurred and what he hopes will occur, he has the innate ability to make you want to stride right along beside him and help in any way you can to accomplish his goals. He’s, again, a very impressive leader.”

Hart played basketball at Alabama, but jokes about his playing days.

“I came here before talent was a criteria for a scholarship,” he said. “And my biggest thing I did was rebound for Wendell (Hudson) in warm-ups. I told Bill McDonald, that’s the biggest waste of tape ever. He used to tape my ankles.”

While a student, he met his wife, Pam, who was a daughter of an Alabama professor.

“She’s a Tuscaloosa girl, and she’s as thrilled to be back as I am,” Hart said.

“This was again, a rare opportunity, to hopefully come back and make a contribution. If my 25-year basis in athletics administration enables me ... to make a difference, I don’t think I could put a value on that. That would give me a lot of personal gratification and satisfaction.”