ISU senior associate athletics director Calli Sanders will remain in Ames after the University of Montana announced Jim O’Day as its next athletics director Thursday. O’Day, who has spent the last seven years at Montana, replaces the retiring Don Read.

Sanders was one of five finalists and the only woman for Montana’s athletics director opening and was excited to be considered for the top job at her alma mater.

“It was flattering to be considered for the top job in athletics at any university,” Sanders said. “And it was nice to think I might get to go home.”

Sanders was born and raised in Great Falls, Mont. and graduated from the University of Montana in 1986.

Although Sanders was disappointed to not get the job, she is happy to stay at Iowa State.

“It’s tough to get those jobs,” she said. “My family and I are very pleased to be staying at Iowa State, where I am thrilled to continue to work with such high-class coaches and staff in a community that we love. I felt I was in a win-win situation.”

— Chris Mackey