Veatch Has Strong Football Background

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Laird Veatch will wear several hats once he starts his new job as Florida's executive associate athletic director for internal affairs on July 1. One of Veatch's roles is to assist Gators Athletic Director Scott Stricklin with administrative oversight of the football program.

Veatch brings instant credibility in that job.

40092 — Laird Veatch makes a tackle against Colorado in 1994. (File Photo: Getty Images)

A four-year letter winner at Kansas State, Veatch was a member of Wildcats coach Bill Snyder's second recruiting class in 1990, a group that helped turn around a Kansas State program that had a 27-game winless streak when Snyder was named head coach in November 1988.

Veatch finished his college career in 1994 as a team captain and blossomed as a leader during his time at KSU among a group of linebackers that has gone on to very successful careers.

Veatch worked his way up the college athletics administrative ladder over the years with stops at Texas, Missouri, Iowa State, Learfield Sports and for the past nine years, his alma mater, where he served as interim athletic director this spring after John Currie left to become AD at Tennessee.

Meanwhile, Veatch's linebacker teammates at Kansas State included current Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables, longtime college coach Mike Ekeler, recently hired by Larry Fedora at North Carolina to coach linebackers, veteran Holton (Kan.) High coach Brooks Barta, who remains second on KSU's all-time leading tackles (436) list, and Texas Tech Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt, one of Veatch's closest friends.

It was Hocutt, the former AD at Miami, who sparked Veatch's interest in pursuing a career in athletic administration as they discussed their plans after college on drives to practice their senior season.

Laird Veatch has a perfect blend of experience, talent and integrity … makes him a perfect fit for the Gators! Welcome, Laird! ?? #GoGators https://t.co/Cmil8Q5W0G
— Scott Stricklin (@ScottStricklin) May 16, 2017

More than 20 years later, Veatch is branching out to the Southeastern Conference. He grew up in Manhattan, Kan., where KSU is located. Relocating his wife, Brandy, also a KSU graduate, and their four kids is a big move.

"We will always be Wildcats, but this is a chance for my family and me to grow in exciting new ways and experience things we never expected," Veatch said in a release. "We are excited to get to Florida and begin this new chapter in our lives."

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TRIVIA TIME: What future NFL quarterback did Veatch have an interception against his senior season?

ANSWER: In a matchup of AP Top 25 teams in 1994, a pass by Colorado quarterback Kordell Stewart was tipped and intercepted by Veatch in the second half of No. 2-ranked Colorado's 35-21 win over the 19th-ranked Wildcats. Stewart later played for Pittsburgh and split time at quarterback and receiver during his NFL career.

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Veatch Has Strong Football Background

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