Big things happening at UofA

Big things are happening in Tucson and University of Arizona Athletic Director Greg Byrne is in the middle of it all.

Since taking over in Tucson in March of 2010, Byrne is responsible for keeping Sean Miller, firing Mike Stoops, and hiring Rich Rodriguez.

Now his focus shifts to some in-home remodeling, specifically Arizona Stadium which many feel is in dire need of a face-lift.

“We’re going to have a north end zone complex that will start for the 2013 season,” Byrne told Brad Cesmat Tuesday on ‘Big Guy on Sports’. “We’re going to have a new weight room, locker room and for the fans a very nice club area with concessions and restrooms. It’s really going to modernize our stadium.”

With new facilities on the horizon, he now turns to Rodriguez to help re-establish initial inroads Stoops made before the program bottomed out after a 1-5 start last season. Byrne, who announced Rich Rod’s hire on Twitter, can already see the hire paying dividends.

“He cares about the staff that he works with and I can tell in his interaction with our student-athletes on the football team, cares about them too, but he also demands a lot from them,” Byrne explained to Cesmat. “That’s what you have to have at this level to have success.”

Coming off an improbable run to the Elite Eight last March, Miller’s young team is still trying to find their stride as Pac-12 play continues.

Arizona Athletic Director Greg Byrne on ‘Big Guy on Sports’

“I believe if we can get on a roll and continue to defend like we have, we can make a run at the conference championship,” he said. “Long-term, I love where we are. Coach Miller is really one of the special coaches out there.”

The Cats (13-7, 4-3) will look to bounce back from a one-point loss at Colorado last Saturday when they host Washington State on Thursday.

The campus-wide success stories in Wildcat Country reach into the classroom, as well.

“I’m pleased where we are academically,” Byrne added I’m also pleased where we are as a program and our fans have done a great job jumping on board and helping us. I like where we’re headed.”