Dalton State College didn't name a new athletic director Monday afternoon. It just put solid footing under the one who had been serving in the role for nine months.
Jon Jaudon had the "interim" part of his label removed. He had become the interim athletic director last July as his newest phase in an administrative career that included 16 years as an associate athletic director at Virginia Tech.
"I am delighted to announce that Jon Jaudon has agreed to join us in this new capacity as director of our athletic program," Dr. Margaret Venable, Dalton State's president, said in a news release and in an afternoon news conference on campus. "We have a maturing program that has already achieved remarkable success, and I cannot think of a better individual to head it at this stage in its life cycle.
"During his interim time here Jon was able to reorganize our assets into a program that is positioned for long-term success and financial sustainability," Venable continued.
Jaudon, a native of Bradenton, Fla., also has worked as an assistant AD for academic services at Texas and was an academic counselor for the Longhorns football and men's basketball teams. He was an academic counselor also at Florida, where he received bachelor's and master's degrees, and was an assistant baseball coach at Santa Fe Community College.
"I want to thank Dr. Venable for demonstrating her faith and trust in me to lead our athletics department," Jaudon said in Monday's release. "We have developed a trusting, respectful relationship over the last nine months, and it is that foundation that has led me to accept this position permanently.
"I look forward to being a part of the leadership team that will shepherd the vision she has set before us to be a first-choice destination college. I am energized each day to contribute to Dalton State College through the platform of intercollegiate athletics."