Cal Poly athletic director Alison Cone said she is announcing her December retirement at a department staff meeting this morning.

The news comes just two weeks after Cone helped solidify the future of the Mustangs’ football program, which cemented plans to join the Big Sky Conference within the next two years.

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Cone has shaped Cal Poly’s sports department by making several major hires since taking over for John McCutcheon in 2004 on an interim basis before becoming permanent.

Cone brought on men’s soccer coach Paul Holocher and softball coach Jenny Condon, each of who have led their programs to their first-ever Division I postseason appearances.

Within the past two years, she made the controversial decision to let go of former basketball coach Kevin Bromley with a year left on his contract and replace him with Joe Callero.

She also hired football coach Tim Walsh after former coach Rich Ellerson departed for Army in 2008 and promoted highly successful cross country coach Mark Conover to head track and field coach when Terry Crawford took a job with Team USA.

The university will likely open a nationwide search for Cone’s replacement but may not make the hire until after a permanent university president is in place.

The university is expected to name a new president as early as December.

By San Luis Obispo Tribune

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2010/09/21/1297466/cal-poly-athletic-director-alison.html#ixzz10DelvpMx