DJ Pulley named Athletic Director
William Carey University announced July 22 that DJ Pulley has been named athletic director. Pulley will replace Coach Steve Knight as athletic director; Knight will remain on staff as the men's head basketball coach.
"The growth of Carey's athletic program has made it necessary for us to have a full-time athletic director," said WCU President Tommy King. "Coach Steve Knight has served in the combined positions of men's basketball head coach and athletic director but it is no longer possible for one person to handle both positions. It was Coach Knight's choice to stay with his first love, basketball. We look forward to continued growth in the athletic program at William Carey."
Pulley worked at WCU as sports information director and women's basketball assistant coach from 2004 to 2015, and as men's golf head coach from 2004 to 2012. From 2012 to 2015 he was responsible for processing student athlete eligibility for all sports in accordance with National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) guidelines. Since December 2015 he has worked as an agent with Farm Bureau in Petal. Pulley will assume the athletic director position on August 1.
"I am extremely humbled and excited for the privilege to serve as the athletic director of William Carey University. I would like to thank Dr. Tommy King for this amazing opportunity," said Pulley. "Taking over for Steve Knight will not be an easy task. He has guided the department to incredible heights, and I look forward to picking up the mantle and moving forward."
Knight has served as men's head basketball coach since 1982 and was named athletic director in 1987. During his tenure, the Carey athletic program has grown from five teams in 1987 to 17 during the upcoming academic year. He was inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.
"Some may not understand my decision, as I know it is not the norm as a person evolves in their career. However, it's pretty simple. I started my career as a coach, and that is how I would like to end my career," said Knight. "I feel my calling has always been to help mold young men and provide a positive role model for them. I have enjoyed my time as an athletic director while working with so many wonderful coaches and administrators through the years."
Knight said he realized a couple of years ago that there would come a day when the school would need a full-time athletic director. "That time has come, and I feel confident I am turning over a great program to DJ. We are currently one of the strongest in the country at the NAIA level, and certainly one of the premier programs in the SSAC, both in quality and depth of offerings. I am very proud of where we are right now, not only in athletics, but also as an institution. DJ will do a great job going forward and will need the same type of support that I received as AD. Thank you to all of our supporters through the years. We could not have done it without you."