Central Florida hires Danny White as new athletic director

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) Central Florida is turning to a young voice to lead its athletic department.

The school hired 36-year-old Danny White as its next athletic director on Wednesday. The Buffalo AD since 2012 will be introduced at a news conference on Thursday.

UCF president John Hitt said White's youth and energy would be a value to the Knights' programs.

''Danny is one of the nation's rising stars in college athletics, and his talent, determination, energy, and creativity will guide our program to a bright future,'' Hitt said in a statement. ''He understands that success starts with winning with integrity and student-athletes thriving in the classroom, and he has a history of hiring successful coaches.''

Under White, Buffalo has seen major improvements to its facilities, including an upgraded football center in 2013 and a face-lift to the basketball facilities for the men's and women's teams.

Before Buffalo, White was an associate athletic director at Mississippi from 2009 to 2012 and held a similar role at Fresno State from 2007 to 2009.

''My goals include building on our outstanding academic accomplishments and making UCF a national leader known for competitive excellence,'' White said in a statement. ''We will become one of the nation's premier destinations for coaches and student-athletes, and we will excite our student body, staff and faculty, alumni and the central Florida community.''

A 2002 graduate of Notre Dame, White is the son of Duke athletic director Kevin White.

The hire ends a short national search, which began after former football coach and interim AD George O'Leary gave up that role on Oct. 12. O'Leary then retired as Knights coach on Oct. 25.

The school was temporarily left without a leader of its athletic department when Todd Stansbury left the position on June 18 to accept the same job at Oregon State, where he had worked previously.

O'Leary assumed the position on June 25, but decided to give it up after the football team started this season 0-9.

White's pedigree of major college administration and athletic experience also extends to his siblings.

Michael White enters his first season as men's basketball coach at Florida; Brian White is the senior associate athletic director for development at Missouri.

---

Follow Kyle Hightower on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/khightower