Husson University is reopening its search for an athletic director following the resignation of newly hired Amanda Nelson.
Nelson, who started in her new role last week, resigned on Friday, according to a Monday press release from the school. Husson Vice President of Student Experience Chris Grotton is serving as interim athletic director while the school restarts its search process.
“Grotton replaces Amanda Nelson, who resigned on Friday, June 6. Nelson was appointed in early May and began work on June 2,” the school said in the press release.
Nelson had been placed on administrative leave on that first day of work.
Husson previously announced on June 2 that it had placed a new employee on administrative leave pending an investigation into a civil lawsuit in California. The school did not name the employee.
A civil lawsuit filed in California Superior Court in December 2024 named Nelson as one of several defendants and accused her of “negligent hiring, supervision and retention” in her previous role as athletic director at Del Norte High School in San Diego.
Nelson called the accusations in the lawsuit “completely false,” during a phone interview with the Bangor Daily News on June 2. At the time, she said she expected to be dropped from the suit and be back at her new job soon.
The plaintiff in the civil suit, identified as a former student at Del Norte, alleged that Nelson’s romantic partner asked the student to have sex with him while that partner was involved with the school’s athletic department and football team. The suit claimed that the plaintiff reported the incident to Nelson and other administration officials, but nothing was done to keep the accused individual from remaining on campus and around athletic events.
As of June 9, Nelson is still listed as a defendant in the civil case, according to staff at the San Diego Superior Court. Nelson did not immediately respond to a phone message seeking comment.
Grotton has already been overseeing the Husson athletics department since January, according to the school’s press release.
“Vice President Chris Grotton is a familiar and respected administrator around campus and in our athletics department,” Husson President Lynne Coy-Ogan said in the press release. “He will bring leadership and stability as we look ahead to our incoming class.”
Grotton said he is “happy to step up in this way” at the school.
“We have a very successful athletic program, and I’m excited to help keep the momentum going,” Grotton added.
A spokesperson for the school said the plan is for Grotton to serve in that interim role until a permanent athletic director is found. The same search committee involved in Nelson’s hiring will resume its work to fill the position, according to the spokesperson.
