CSU interim AD leaving for job at Tufts University

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) Interim athletic director John Morris is leaving Colorado State to serve as athletic director at Tufts University in Massachusetts.

Morris joined the CSU staff in 2012 as deputy athletic director and he's been interim A.D. since Jack Graham's firing in August.

Morris had been considered a top candidate for the permanent A.D. position, which the school said it hopes to fill within the next month.

School President Tony Frank said he had encouraged Morris to ''stay in the candidate pool for the permanent athletics director role'' but respected Morris' decision to leave for Tufts.

Morris will remain at CSU for a couple of months to assist in the transition to a new athletic director.