By Steven Andress, Dan Corcoran and Gia Vang

EUGENE, Ore. -- The University of Oregon has chosen its new athletic director.

Though Rob Mullens has never been an athletic director, he says he brings experience and stability to the job and is no stranger to big programs.

Mullens spent the last four years at Kentucky as deputy director of athletics and seven year before that at Maryland. He managed the University of Kentucky's $79 million budget. Now it's U of O's $70 million program.

Fiscal responsibility was a big sticking point, but so was winning.

"We're going to move into an upper eschelon of competition. So, moving into top 20, top 25 is great progress," said Mullens. "We have lofty goals, and the only way we're going to achieve those goals is if we all get on the same page. We want to compete at the highest level, and that's across the board."

"You gotta be able to nurture the kind of success Chip Kelly, Vin Lananna, and other coaches have brought to this program," said UO President Richard Lariviere.

The search committee, which includes head football coach Chip Kelly, interviewed eight original candidates. Lariviere decided quickly on Mullens and offered him the job just a few hours after interviewing three finalists.

The terms of the offer are $450,000 per year guaranteed. The length is not finalized, but Lariviere said the contract will be for at least three years.

During Thursday's press conference, Mullens was taking a lot of questions about what kind of a leader he'll be and who will have his ear at Oregon. One of the names coming up again and again is Nike co-founder Phil Knight.

On his way to Eugene Thursday morning, Mullens was on the phone. One of the first calls he made was to Knight, one of the Duck athletic program's biggest donors.

The new AD says he's worked at several schools where Nike was and is a significant contributor: University of Miami, Maryland and most recently the University of Kentucky.

Mullens welcomes that partnership at Oregon. He says Nike is the strongest brand in sports, and that having the backing of someone like Phil Knight is a big advantage for any self-sustaining athletic program.

"I was fortunate to talk to Mr. Knight this morning on the drive from Portland to Eugene, had a very brief introductory conversation and I look forward to getting to meet him," said Mullens.

Another call soon after taking the Ducks AD job was to former Athletic Director Pat Kilkenny, who is another one of the Ducks' high-level athletic boosters.

Meanwhile, Nike is giving nearly $23 million to the university over an eight-year period.

The process of hiring Mullens was much quieter than the recent search for a new basketball coach. But the two searches did have one thing in common, they ended with the hiring of someone fans and students know very little about.

Reaction to the hiring was definitley subdued. Most people we spoke with really didn't have any idea who Mullens is.

What students and faculty agreed on though is the hope that Mullens can help get things back on track in a couple areas.

One is the off-field image problem. The Oregon football team ran into its fair share of troubles over the last year. And then there's the ongoing divide on campus between athletics and academics.

"I think way too much emphasis goes on athletics and less on academics," said UO staff member Pamela Leonald.

"It's a pretty collegial atmosphere between the athletics and the academics," said UO staff member Peter Campbell.

"I haven't really heard much about him but I hope he puts our athletic department in a more positive step than what it has been," said UO senior Eddy Ponce.

Mullens said he is aware of both issues. He said his goal is to make sure the program is competing at the highest level, both in athletics and academics.