Merton Hanks, former NFL executive and player, joins Conference USA

IRVING, Texas -- Former NFL executive and player Merton Hanks has been named senior associate commissioner of Conference USA.

Commissioner Judy MacLeod announced the hiring Thursday. Hanks will be responsible for managing all of the league's operations for football and baseball.

Hanks worked for the NFL for 13 seasons, serving as vice president of football operations and compliance from 2011 until earlier this year.

With Conference USA, Hanks will be responsible for managing officiating, scheduling, game operations, player conduct and safety. He also will oversee the league's public affairs activities.

Hanks, a Dallas native, played nine seasons in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers. He was a four-time Pro Bowl safety and a three-time All-Pro. He was a starter on the 49ers' 1994 Super Bowl championship team.