The University of Cincinnati athletic department has a new No.2 man: Dean Billick, the athletic director at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, the past five years, was hired as deputy director of athletics at UC.

        “We considered a lot of people,” UC athletic director Bob Goin said Thursday. “I wanted a guy with a lot of experience. That's what stood out. He's well-versed in athletic administration. He's got a solid background. He's going to oversee every facet of the internal operation of the department.”

        The obvious question: With Goin's contract expiring June 30, 2003, is Billick the heir apparent to the job?

        That was not the intent of the hire, both said.

        “This is an associate,” Goin said. “It's my appointment. I don't hire athletic directors — that's not my job — I hire assistant ADs. The president (Dr. Joseph Steger) hasn't even met him.”

        Said Billick: “I really haven't given it much thought. Bob was upfront with me about his future plans. I'm going to come up there and do the very best job that I can do, and whatever happens, happens. Whatever talent I have, I'm going to bring to the table and work for Bob and the university.”

        Billick, 60, who is scheduled to start May1, replaces John Sheffield, a close friend of Goin's who died after a battle with cancer in February.

        Goin said he was unable to put the job search “on the front burner” until the Bob Huggins-to-West-Virginia saga came to a conclusion.

        Once he focused on the task, Goin was struck by Billick's 37 years of experience in athletic administration.

        At Lamar, Billick hired former Marquette coach Mike Deane, completed three capital improvement projects, guided the school through full NCAA certification and eliminated a $1.4million operating deficit.

        Billick, a 1963 Penn State graduate, also served as:

        • Executive director of the U.S. Modern Pentathlon Association for the U.S. Olympic Committee for 3 1/2 years.

        • Sports information director at Bucknell in 1965.

        • Sports information director at the University of Pittsburgh in 1966, beginning a 27 1/2-year stint at the school. He was associate AD and the department's No.2 administrator for his final 11 years and twice was interim athletic director.

        • Stadium coordinator/consultant at the University of Louisville for five months in 1993, helping lay the groundwork for the capital campaign that raised $14 million for the construction of the school's new football stadium.

        The new job is good for Billick personally and professionally. His mother died in December, and he will be closer to his 89-year-old father, who lives just outside of Pittsburgh. Also, his wife, who has worked in television sales in Pittsburgh, Miami and San Antonio, has a chance to return to a major television market.

        “Professionally, it's a great opportunity to work with Bob (Goin),” Billick said. “I'm really excited about it.”

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