He’s a top-level talent. Hanks will be … Anderson encouraged Hanks to pursue the Pac-12 opening. “Football success is a priority for our athletic programs and the Conference, and having someone with the college football and NFL experience that Merton brings to the table will be a great asset for our members and senior management team.”“I am excited to be joining the Conference of Champions and to have the opportunity to contribute to the continued growth of the Pac-12’s football programs,” said Hanks. As the new chief of Pac-12 football operations, former NFL star Merton Hanks will work with the head coaches and athletic directors, conference officials, NCAA officials, bowl executives and, of course, commissioner Larry Scott.While describing his vision for the conference to the Hotline, Hanks seemed comfortable with the demands from that disparate group of stakeholders.His chief concern, it seems, is meeting the expectations of a small but passionate group of Pac-12 fans:Hanks’ close friends and former 49ers teammates who played in the conference and are disheartened by its performance on the national stage.“Ronnie (Lott) and all the guys like Derrick Deese — I’ve got many Pac-12 friends,” Hanks said with a laugh, “and they’re not going to allow me a moment’s peace if I’m not doing my best to make sure the Pac-12 is the best it can be.”The challenge would be daunting under normal circumstances, for the Pac-12’s football operation struggled long before the pandemic arrived.The officiating has been messy — when it isn’t a dumpster fire.The level of trust between the football programs and the conference office is fragile.The regular-season schedule is an exercise is avoiding the calamitous.And the lack of representation in the College Football Playoff is a continual source of gloom for everyone associated with the Pac-12.
CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Bruin Alums Carter and Lowe Get Ready for Pro Volleyball League in 2021 He is currently a Senior Associate Commissioner for the Pac-12.. Merton Hanks; No. Details emerge in Under Armour’s legal dispute with Cal, and they stretch the imagination Hanks was credited with achieving a nationally recognized level of training for officials at Conference USA, along with ethnic and gender diversity among officials.Hanks also has spent 13 years with the National Football League, where he was the Vice President, Football Operations & Compliance. Pac-12 will revisit basketball delay if Covid situation improves All Rights Reserved. Consider the trajectory of Pac-12 basketball over the past 45 years — since the end of the UCLA dynasty — if Olson had never set foot in... Merton Edward Hanks (born March 12, 1968) is a former American football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons during the 1990s. “The Pac-12 boasts world class universities and an incredible football history, and I look forward to working with the Pac-12 athletic directors, administrators, and Commissioner Scott’s great team to support our student-athletes success on and off the field.”Hanks joins the Pac-12 from Conference USA, where since 2016 he has served as Senior Associate Commissioner responsible for football along with baseball operations, including scheduling, officiating, game operations, player conduct, and safety, among other responsibilities. NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. For more information on the Conference’s programs, member institutions, and Commissioner Larry Scott, go to Official Site of the Pac-12 Conference and Pac-12 Network Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Hanks joins the Pac-12 from Conference USA, where since 2016 he has served as Senior Associate Commissioner responsible for football along with baseball operations, including scheduling, officiating, game operations, player conduct and safety, among other responsibilities.Prior to joining Conference USA, Hanks spent 13 years with the National Football League, where he held the position of Vice President, Football Operations & Compliance since 2011.Hanks played nine seasons in the National Football League, including eight with the San Francisco 49ers.A native of Dallas, Hanks graduated from Lake Highlands High School. The Pac-12 announced today that it has appointed longtime NFL and college football executive Merton Hanks as its new Senior Associate Commissioner for Football Operations, effective September 8.“I am very pleased to welcome Merton Hanks to the Pac-12 to lead and drive the continued success of our Pac-12 football operations,” said Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott.“I am excited to be joining the Conference of Champions and to have the opportunity to contribute to the continued growth of the Pac-12’s football programs,” said Hanks.Arizona State University Vice President for University Athletics, and current Chair of the Pac-12 Athletic Director group, Ray Anderson added: “Merton and I worked together at the NFL for close to a decade, and during that time he was an incredible asset to the league thanks to his knowledge of all aspects of football operations, ability to connect with players and coaches, and business acumen. TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Lute Olson, the Hall of Fame coach who turned Arizona into a college basketball powerhouse, has died at the age of 85.