Sources have comfirmed that FAMU has identified their next athletic director. Derek Horne, currently senior associate athletic director at Ole Miss is believed to be the selection committee’s choice. Horne’s appointment is pending approval from the board of trustees sometime this week. Horne was one of two finalists being considered to head the FAMU athletic department. Interim athletic director, Mike Smith, was the other candidate. Smith’s history with the university and financial background had many considering him the favorite.

A 1987 graduate of the University of Mississippi, Horne was a four-year letterman on the Rebel basketball team from 1983 to 1986. He earned Academic All-Southeastern Conference accolades as a senior and was team captain his final two seasons.

At Ole Miss, Horne spearheaded the athletics department’s correspondence and development with former letterwinners in all sports. He also oversaw the CHAMPS Life Skills program and concessions at all athletics venues.

His duties also included assisting the athletics director in administering all activities of the department and served as a representative of the athletics department at alumni, civic and intercollegiate athletics functions.

Prior to joining the Ole Miss staff, Horne was the director of terminal and driver support for KLLM Transport Services Inc. in Jackson, MS.  He started his career in Jackson in 1987 and moved up in the company from management trainee to regional human resources specialist in the Morrow, Ga., office before returning to Jackson in 1994.

The Quitman, Ga., native serves as chairperson of basketball coaches “Coaches vs. Cancer” program, is a member of the Chancellor’s Standing Committee for Sensitivity and Respect and is an honorary member of the Golden Key National Honor Society. He has also served on the University of Mississippi’s On Campus Minority Alumni Advisory Council, the M-Club Alumni Board of Directors and the Alumni Association Board of Directors.