Michigan athletic director Bill Martin to retire in 2010

Martin made the decision official Wednesday, according to University of Michigan athletic department sources. He sent a letter to U-M president Mary Sue Coleman and was to inform the athletic department at an all-staff meeting at Keen Arena.

Martin officially became athletic director on Aug. 1, 2000. Earlier that spring, he had been named interim athletic director, replacing Tom Goss.

Among his most recent achievements: the renovation of Michigan Stadium, which will be officially unveiled next season, and the approval of plans for a basketball practice facility adjacent to Crisler Arena.

Martin hired the two most prominent coaches in Michigan athletics -- football coach Rich Rodriguez in December 2007 and men's basketball coach John Beilein in April 2007.

"This morning, Bill Martin sent me a letter announcing his intention to retire on Sept. 4, 2010," Coleman said in a statement. "For nearly a decade, Bill has shown truly outstanding leadership as athletic director at the University of Michigan. He has not only done a superb job of attracting top coaches for the full range of Michigan sports, but he has also assembled an excellent management team to oversee all aspects of athletics operations. At the same time, he has firmly established athletics as a financially strong and self-supporting department while guiding the renovation and expansion of most of our major sports facilities.

"Bill is a great partner, and it has been a joy to work with him. Although he has been interested in retiring for some time now, I am pleased that I was able to convince him to stay with us long enough to ensure that the renovation of our football stadium would be successful and on time. That end is now in clear sight. He has agreed to remain as athletic director until his successor is on board, at which point he will serve as a special advisor to me until retiring from the university in September."

Coleman said she will oversee the search for the next athletic director with the help of a small advisory group.

"We expect this process will take a number of months," Coleman said. "With this advance notice, we have the opportunity to make a thoughtful and deliberate choice and to manage a smooth transition."