Until Wednesday, the thinking around the change in athletics director at Missouri was largely centered on now former AD Jim Sterk went out on his own.

However, on the day the Tigers introduced UNLV AD Desiree Reed-Francois as the new person in charge of the department, President Mun Choi told Dave Matter of the Post-Dispatch that he has a different view of how things unfolded. Put simply, Sterk did not leave on his own.

“I knew, the Board knew that we needed a different direction. It’s that innovation that we need given the changing dynamics,” Choi said. “The fact that for us to develop into champions, we have to work harder than Alabama. We have to work harder than Florida. Are we going to bring that high level of expectation that starts at the top? That’s the reason WE made the decision.”

Earlier from the podium at Reed-Francois’ introduction and press conference, Choi said that among the qualifications for the next AD are someone who is dynamic, fearless, has high integrity and deeply compassionate and innovative.

“Someone who wakes up at 4 a.m. each day with a hunger to make Mizzou better,” he said. “That person is going to expect the same from every individual who works at the University of Missouri athletics, from student interns all the way to our head coaches.”

Choi said the “going from good to great” line used in leadership circles is overused, and instead, he described Mizzou as going from “good to champions.”

“With the right leadership, the right vision and investments, we can get there,” he said.