LAWRENCE, Kan., Sept. 7 (UPI) -- University of Kansas Athletic Director Lew Perkins has retired effectively immediately rather than a year from now, the school said Tuesday.
A search is now on to find a replacement for Perkins, who the school had announced in June would leave in September 2011. Perkins held the post for seven years.
Sean Lester will serve as interim athletics director.
Perkins' contract calls for him to be paid a retention payment of about $2 million, which the school said would be paid immediately.
Perkins' tenure produced athletic successes, including a national basketball championship, but was not without controversy. A ticket scandal is still being looked at by federal investigators, football Coach Mark Mangino received a $3 million settlement after being fired and there were allegations a former KU employee was involved in an improper exchange of exercise equipment for preferential seating.
Perkins was the head of athletics at the University of Connecticut for 13 years prior to taking over at Kansas.
