Mizzou AD Jim Sterk to step down

As news about Texas and Oklahoma potentially joining the SEC continues to dominate headlines, there was also some big news out of Missouri on Monday.

Per a release from the school, AD Jim Sterk will step down from his position, which he has held for 5 years.

As you can see below, university president Mun Choi issued a statement in a press release thanking Sterk for his leadership:

BREAKING: #Mizzou AD Jim Sterk is stepping down as soon as a new athletic director is found. pic.twitter.com/hFUTvnRIVy

— Ben Arnet (@BenArnetKOMU) July 26, 2021

Per STLToday.com’s Dave Matter, the move caught many in Mizzou’s athletic department by surprise. Sterk still had 2 years left on his contract:

Mizzou athletics department staffers were shocked by Sterk's news today, I'm told. He informed them via email a little after 5 pm that he and president Mun Choi mutually agreed that he would step down. Two years left on his contract. More at @STLtoday.

— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) July 26, 2021

Sterk will step down once a new AD is named. Who that AD ends up being remains to be seen. Per Choi’s statement, a national search will begin immediately.