FAYETTEVILLE -- Norm DeBriyn is getting to be a head coach again before retiring from the Razorback Foundation in January.
DeBriyn, who led Arkansas' baseball program to national prominence in 33 seasons as coach from 1970-2002, will head the Razorback Foundation as interim executive director of the fund-raising organization for the UA athletic department, it was announced Monday.
DeBriyn replaces Sean Rochelle, who is resigning as the Razorback Foundation's executive director Sept. 1 to go into private business.
DeBriyn, 72, said he'll retire from the Razorback Foundation the first week in January. His decision is not health-related.
"I feel good, but I'm retiring from the foundation now because I know it's time," DeBriyn said. "It's just like I knew it was time to retire from coaching when I did."
DeBriyn, who was ordained a deacon in the Catholic church in November of 2012, said he's going to focus on fund-raising efforts for renovations at St. Thomas Aquinas Church on Arkansas' campus.
"I'm ready to transition into something else I'm also very passionate about," he said.
DeBriyn said it's an honor to be named interim executive director and that he appreciated the support of Razorback Foundation Board Chairman Ken Mourton and Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long in promoting him while they conduct a search for Rochelle's long-term successor.
The search committee includes Mourton, Long and Razorback Foundation board members Charles Balentine, Rick Chapman and Rick Massey.
"As we work to identify our next executive director, it was imperative that we have someone serve on an interim basis to help maintain the momentum we have built within the Razorback Foundation," Mourton said in a news release. "Coach DeBriyn has a great understanding of our membership and how we can continue to better serve them.
"It is fitting that as Coach DeBriyn prepares for his retirement in January, that he has stepped up for one more important pinch-hitting role for the benefit of the Razorbacks."
Long praised DeBriyn for being one of Arkansas' "finest ambassadors" for more than 40 years.
"We have a very good team at the foundation," DeBriyn said. "They all have a different expertise in what they do, and they do a great job.
"My goal is to maintain the status quo for the next few months. There a lot of things going on and I'm aware of them, so I think we can just continue to move forward in those areas."
DeBriyn said Rochelle has left the Razorback Foundation in a strong position.
"Sean is very people-oriented and the way he's developed relationships has been amazing," DeBriyn said. "He really ran a good office and had a great handle on the job."
DeBriyn, a native of Ashland, Wis., had a 1,161-650-8 record as the Razorbacks' coach and led Arkansas to four College World Series appearances in 1979, 1985, 1987 and 1989. He is a member of the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame and the UA Hall of Honor.
"The Razorback fans are tremendous," he said. "I love Arkansas and the Arkansas people."
DeBriyn said that when he told then-Arkansas Athletic Director Frank Broyles after the 2002 season that he was stepping down as coach, he wasn't sure what to do next. Broyles suggested he go to work for the Razorback Foundation.
"It just felt good when Coach Broyles said that," DeBriyn said. "As I was walking out of his office, I thought, 'This might be OK,' and it's been a great experience."
Sports on 08/25/2015