Former Gophers interim athletics director Beth Goetz— who held the position from August to May — accepted a job as the University of Connecticut’s chief operating officer for athletics.

Late last year, the Gophers’ athletics director Norwood Teague resigned amid allegations of sexual harassment. Goetz was appointed as the interim athletics director following Teague’s resignation in August.

Goetz expressed interest in assuming a permanent position as athletics director; however, the University’s Board of Regents approved Mark Coyle for the position in May.

As interim athletics director, Goetz was involved in the hiring process for the Gophers’ head football coach, Tracy Claeys. Claeys was the defensive coordinator for the team before Jerry Kill stepped down due to health concerns.

President Eric Kaler highlighted Goetz’s positive impact on Gophers athletics.

“I am extremely grateful for her commitment to the University and the stabilizing leadership she provided, particularly as our interim director during a difficult past year, and wish her the best at UConn,” he said in a statement.

At Connecticut, Goetz will work under David Benedict, who previously served as Minnesota’s deputy athletics director. The two worked together during Teague’s tenure.

Goetz joins the University of Connecticut staff during a time when the athletics program has achieved great success.

Since 2000, the women’s basketball team has earned ten national championships, and the first three picks in the 2016 WNBA draft were all former Huskies. The men’s basketball team won the National Championship in 2014 but lost in the second round of the tournament this season.

“It has been a pleasure to work with such outstanding coaches, staff, student-athletes and fans and I am grateful to have been embraced by this Gopher community during my time here,” 

Goetz said in a statement. “While I am excited about the next step in my journey, I will always cheer for Maroon and Gold.”