MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Marquette University says Steve Cottingham is the new athletic director.

Cottingham had been serving as the interim athletic director since January 2007 and originally said he would not be a candidate for the permanent AD position.

But university president Robert A. Wild said Cottingham had a change of heart after working with the school's athletic programs.

Cottingham had previously been an associate senior vice president and worked in Marquette's Office of General Counsel.

Marquette has 14 Division I teams, most notably in men's basketball, which won the national title in 1977 and is currently ranked No. 25.

Coach Tom Crean says Cottingham is a conscientious, committed and exceptional leader.

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