Weir says he seeks to be unifier

PORTALES - Eastern New Mexico University's new athletic director seeks to be a unifier first, then work on making ENMU "more competitive" in the Lone Star Conference, he said at a press conference Thursday.

Paul Weir's first task, he said, is to get all of ENMU "on the same page" about the role of athletics at the university, including "students, staff, faculty and administration." He said he will find "areas of commonality" between the athletic department and athletes and other areas at the university, then move ahead with a "shared vision about what we can do together" for competitive sports.

While he said he has "a plethora of ideas" on directions, "I want to hear your ideas first," he told the gathering.

New Mexico state institutions, he said, must meet "many challenges without resources," and he intends to "encourage relationships" and building "success stories."

In an interview after the press conference, he said great athletes can be drawn to ENMU because "it's a beautiful campus and a gorgeous community."

Eastern he said, is an "underappreciated campus."

Dustin Seifert, who chaired the committee that recruited Weir, said Weir is interested in "creating a cohesive atmosphere" between the athletic department and other departments on campus, and seeks to "create a positive atmosphere for the athletes."

"I like his energy and passion," Seifert said. "He's got a fire in his belly and is willing to get to work."

Weir, he added, has "charted a course for a very bright future" for athletics at ENMU.

Wier said his move from being a basketball coach at the University of New Mexico to an athletic director position is not uncommon. Some great coaches, he noted, have transitioned well to other jobs.

"I'm not the first," he said, "nor will I be last."

Former Washington Redskins football coach Joe Gibbs, he noted, is now a businessman. He owns a car racing team affiliated with NASCAR.

U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, retired as the head football coach at Auburn University from 1999 to 2008 before deciding on politics. Former Ohio State football coach James Tressel is now president of Youngstown State University at Youngstown, Ohio.

Weir also noted his line of degrees, including a doctorate in educational leadership and master's degrees in sports psychology, health and human performance, and business administration prepare him to move beyond coaching.

On a personal note, he said, as athletic director, he will have more time at home with his wife Alma and his two sons, Theodore, 6, and Noah, 3, than he did as a coach who travels with the team.

He said he wants to ensure that ENMU teams are competitive in the Lone Star Conference "on the field and on the courts."

Weir said he has not given thought to any moves beyond his current role.

He said he hopes to play a role in stabilizing the workforce at ENMU.

"There's been a lot of turnover," he said.

Will he be tempted to coach from the sidelines, especially at basketball games?

No, he said.

His athletic director role will require "a lot of attention and focus."