SMU athletic director Rick Hart will step down from his position near the end of the current academic year, the university announced Friday. He will continue to serve as athletic director until SMU can identify a replacement.

Hart has served in the role since 2012 and led the Mustangs in their transition to a power conference. His announcement comes shortly after President

SMU announced Hart's departure on Friday, marking an end to Hart's 12-plus years on the Hilltop. He'll stay in the role until a new athletics director is hired and on campus, but this will be his last academic year at SMU, the announcement said.

Athletic Director Rick Hart announced in a statement Friday he will be stepping down from his position after more than a decade leading the Mustangs. Hartzell will now get the chance to bring in his own athletic director when he officially takes over as president on June 1.