University of North Texas Athletics
AD Wren Baker: Changes, Challenges Ahead
8/1/2016 12:00:00 AM | General
DENTON - North Texas' new director of athletics won't actually be on the job until Aug. 22, but Wren Baker isn't waiting to tackle the tasks he'll face.
The 37-year-old Oklahoma native, who has spent most of his career in the midwest, spent the weekend getting a close-up look at the North Texas campus and the Mean Green athletic facilities, as well as introducing his family to their new home.
"As an athletics department, as a university, as a community, I am confident that we are going to accomplish great things," Baker said. "Together, we are going to build an elite program that excels academically and athletically. I'm looking forward to that challenge and can't wait to get started.
"There's no question that we have some big challenges ahead of us," he said. "Our competitors are not sitting idly by waiting for us to catch up."
Press Conference Photo Gallery
Baker had another message when he met the athletic staff on Friday: there will be changes, and some people are going to be uncomfortable.
Seventy-two hours after the UNT board of regents approved his hiring on Friday, Baker touched on that again in his introductory press conference Monday morning at Apogee Stadium's HUB Club.
"I think you've got to take a look and make sure we've got the right processes and that you've got the right people," Baker said. "You win with people and, at the end of the day, you can have everything else as good as you want, but if you don't have the right people, you can't be successful. We've got to take a step back and just make sure that we are staffed appropriately and that we've got the right people on the bus and that they're in the right seats."
No changes are imminent, he said Monday. When he takes over, he'll begin a process of evaluating the department and its staff before deciding what changes are necessary. Baker informed the staff that in his first three months, he plans to meet with every member of the department.
But there is one change that has already taken place. With Baker's arrival, the athletic department is getting a more prominent role in the hierarchy of the university. Baker is not just director of athletics; president Neal Smatresk pointed out that Baker is also a vice president, putting him on the same footing as vice presidents on the campus north of I-35.
"The athletics department is the front porch of the university," Baker said. "When it's done right, it advances the mission and integrity of the institution, and that is exactly what we are going to do."
He also said that he plans to listen.
"One of the things that you'll find about me is that I'm not someone who thinks he has all of the answers," Baker explained. "I'm going to make it a habit to seek advice and counsel from people who have more experience or knowledge of a particular issue.
"We will focus on engaging and perfecting our process, building from the foundation up, with an emphasis on getting the little things right. I believe that details are important, and we will emphasize that," Baker added.
"And yes, by golly, we will win."
