Ole Miss has taken its first step to replacing Ross Bjork as the school announced Keith Carter has been named interim athletics director.

If you missed the news, Bjork left Oxford last week to take over the athletic director role at Texas A&M. Bjork had been the Ole Miss AD dating back to 2012.

The decision to promote Carter as the school’s interim AD makes sense, as he currently serves as Ole Miss deputy AD following an All-American basketball career in Oxford.

“Keith Carter is a well-known leader with Ole Miss Athletics. He has succeeded consistently as a Rebel athlete, athletics administrator, broadcaster, and fundraiser,” interim Ole Miss President Larry Sparks said via a school-issued release. “His standing with Rebel fans everywhere will serve Ole Miss Athletics and the university well during this interim period.”

Carter, a four-year starter on the basketball team from 1996-1999, also issued a comment following the news:

“As a student-athlete and administrator, I have experienced tremendous heights at Ole Miss and share a deep passion for this university. Our athletics department has great momentum, and I want to ensure that our program continues on its upward rise until permanent leadership is in place. With our outstanding coaches and staff and the support of Rebel Nation, Ole Miss is poised for big things, and I look forward to leading that charge during this time of transition.”