Jan. 18, 2018
By Jeff Shearer
AuburnTigers.com
AUBURN, Ala. - Allen Greene, Auburn's new Director of Athletics, impressed Auburn's search committee with his experience as a student-athlete, fundraiser and administrator.
"I'm very excited about bringing Allen into the Auburn Family," said Quentin Riggins, a member of Auburn University's Board of Trustees and former All-SEC linebacker. "As a former student-athlete, he understands the importance of winning on the field and in the classroom. Allen has been a winner all his life, and he will bring a competitive edge with him."
A starting outfielder at Notre Dame, Greene played four seasons of professional baseball in the New York Yankees' system.
"Allen possesses the expertise and tenacity to lead our Athletics Department to even greater heights," said search committee member Adrienne "A.J." Mills, a former Auburn gymnast. "His will to win is contagious. He's an authentic communicator who will be impactful in leading our student-athletes, staff and stakeholders."
Greene comes to the Plains from the University of Buffalo, where he has served as director of athletics for two years after three years as deputy AD. He obtained SEC experience at Ole Miss, serving in athletics development.
Greene also worked in development and compliance for seven years at his alma mater, Notre Dame.
"We looked for a charismatic up-and-coming and elite leader to take Auburn Athletics into the future, and we found the very best in Allen Greene," said search committee vice-chair Kim Evans, Auburn's women's golf coach from 1994-2015.
Greene earned a finance degree from Notre Dame and a master's in liberal studies from Indiana.
"Allen is a positive role model," said search committee member Beverly Marshall, an Auburn University finance professor. "He will inspire our athletes to live with integrity and lead meaningful lives."
Respected by fellow directors of athletics, Greene received strong endorsements from industry peers.
"Allen Greene is high integrity, high character and high energy," said Penn State AD Sandy Barbour. "His background and experience will be an exceptional fit for Auburn. Allen is simply a winner, and he'll partner with all aspects of the Tiger community to achieve spectacular results on and off the field."
Duke athletics director Kevin White expects Greene to become a national leader in college football and NCAA issues.
"[Allen and Christy Greene] are unequivocally a brilliant addition to the highly esteemed Auburn University family," White said.
Board of Trustees member Gaines Lanier, a three-year Auburn football letterman, chaired the committee that recommended Greene to Auburn University president Dr. Steven Leath.
"We welcome Allen and his family to Auburn and the Auburn community," Lanier said. "Our expectation is that he will lead Auburn Athletics with excellence and build on the legacy that he takes over."
President Leath will formally introduce Greene as Auburn's 15th Director of Athletics Friday at 10 a.m. in the F. Steve Taylor Auditorium in Auburn's Athletics Complex.
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @jeff_shearer