Matt Hogue has been named to the position of Interim Director of Athletics at Coastal Carolina University, according to an announcement today by CCU President David A. DeCenzo. Hogue, who serves as CCU's associate vice president of marketing, will move into the position, effective immediately, to replace Hunter Yurachek, who resigned recently to become the associate vice president and chief operating officer for the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics at the University of Houston.

DeCenzo describes Hogue as a leader who has established a positive relationship with the coaches and staff and is well versed in the day-to-day activities of heading a thriving Division I athletics program.

Hogue joined the CCU staff in 1997 and has served in several different roles in the Department of Athletics and in the Office of University Communication, where he leads CCU's marketing and trademark-licensing efforts. Hogue is best known for his role as the "Voice of the Chanticleers" on the Chanticleer Sports Network, providing live game broadcasts, features and weekly programs about CCU athletics.

"The 'Voice of the Chanticleers' will now become the 'face of CCU athletics,' " said DeCenzo. "Matt's years of service and distinctive accomplishments at our University make him the logical choice. He has distinguished himself as the consummate athletics professional and is highly regarded in the field. He has worked to secure sponsorships, supervised sports programs, taken the lead on NCAA championship hosting, and he began his tenure in media relations. Under Matt's leadership as associate vice president for marketing, our trademark licensing royalties have significantly increased, and he has implemented marketing strategies that have brought considerable return on investment."

"I am honored and excited to accept this appointment," said Hogue. "CCU has been the heart and soul of my career for many years, and I look forward to this new opportunity to guide one of the nation's premier athletic departments."

As part of a comprehensive plan to review and re-evaluate the University's athletic program, DeCenzo also announced that CCU Head Football Coach Joe Moglia has been named Chair of the Athletics Division. With these added duties, Moglia will provide strategic oversight for athletics, working with Hogue to develop a thorough review of all aspects of the athletics program.

"I believe that this is critical in establishing an athletic roadmap that will take us well into the future. Undoubtedly, Joe's experience and knowledge in these areas will be an invaluable asset," DeCenzo said.

"In the same manner that we coach our players to stand on their own two feet and accept accountability for their actions, that leadership principle will be at the core of developing this next era of CCU Athletics," said Moglia "I am appreciative of President DeCenzo's offer and ready to contribute toward our new athletic structure."

Moglia was named CCU head football coach in 2011, and he was the 2012 Big South Coach of the Year. In addition to his 22-year coaching career, Moglia has led a successful career in business. He was chief executive officer of TD Ameritrade for seven years (2001-2008) and now serves as chairman of the board. Prior to joining CCU, he was head coach of the United Football League's Omaha Nighthawks.

DeCenzo has chosen to forego a Director of Athletics search for an indefinite period of time in order to achieve this new alignment between athletics and the University as a whole. "With this change in leadership, we are in an advantageous position to examine our program and decide the future of Coastal Athletics."