Arizona is reportedly hiring an active SEC athletic director for the same position with the Wildcats in what is a surprising move in the industry.

According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Arizona is expected to hire Missouri AD Desireé Reed-Francois to become the new AD at Arizona. It is categorized as a surprising move by Thamel while Reed-Francois is reportedly receiving a five-year deal with the Wildcats.

Arizona recently made headlines with news that the school and athletic department are battling serious financial struggles. That aspect, combined with a departure from the SEC to a Big 12-bound program, makes the move even more surprising.

Reed-Francois — who has spent nearly three years at Missouri — does have connections at Arizona. According to Thamel, Reed-Francois’ graduating from Arizona’s law school in 1997 had a role to play in the decision.

“While this may come as a surprise to some, those who know Desireé best know that she relishes challenges and is a builder and is not intimidated,” said a source familiar with the decision.

Reed-Francois has over 7 years of experience as an AD with time spent at UNLV and Missouri. She also has a history of leadership roles across time at Virginia Tech, Cincinnati and Tennessee.

While the surprising decision leaves Missouri without an AD, it certainly looks like a key win for Arizona. Thamel pointed to questions and “skepticism” regarding the caliber of AD Arizona would be able to land amidst uncertainty, and landing Reed-Francois answers those questions in a major way.

Here is Thamel’s full story on the situation: