(AP) — Louisiana Tech hired Tommy McClelland of McNeese State as athletic director on Tuesday.

McClelland, a Louisiana native, has been the permanent athletics director at McNeese State since March 2008, after serving as interim athletic director and assistant athletic director of internal affairs. He has overseen school records in football season ticket sales and the Cowboys have won Southland Conference titles in several sports, including football, during his tenure.

He was introduced at a news conference in Ruston, La.

Louisiana Tech’s previous athletic director, Bruce Van de Velde, announced in June he was stepping down. Van del Velde had been AD since 2010. Last season he drew criticism from La. Tech fans and supporters when the football team went 9-3, but did not land a spot in a bowl game.

(Michelle Higginbotham / American Press)