Staff Turnover

Adunk33

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In most cases, I try to see change as a good thing. Many of the folks on this board would agree that the Athletic Dept seemed to be just treading water under Lyons with a majority of staff having been in their positions for quite some time. I'm not suggesting Brennan forcing anyone out or anything but continuing to bring in some outsiders with a fresh, new perspective could be a good think for the Dept. New basketball, volleyball, and soccer coaches, might as well bring is some new marketing folks to see what new ideas can come to surface.
 

Adunk33

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Interesting to learn about Kyles perspective on leadership.
 

GoRedbirds1!

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In most cases, I try to see change as a good thing. Many of the folks on this board would agree that the Athletic Dept seemed to be just treading water under Lyons with a majority of staff having been in their positions for quite some time. I'm not suggesting Brennan forcing anyone out or anything but continuing to bring in some outsiders with a fresh, new perspective could be a good think for the Dept. New basketball, volleyball, and soccer coaches, might as well bring is some new marketing folks to see what new ideas can come to surface.
There's certainly some benefits to turnover. I found this article to be interesting - In NCAA Division I, New Data Shows Burnout Is Rampant Among Administrators

I think it would be eye opening to hear about the experiences of people who are currently in the department or have recently left to get a better idea of what's going on there on a daily basis. It would be interesting to learn about the differences between Brennan v Lyons, COVID, etc.
 

Adunk33

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There's certainly some benefits to turnover. I found this article to be interesting - In NCAA Division I, New Data Shows Burnout Is Rampant Among Administrators

I think it would be eye opening to hear about the experiences of people who are currently in the department or have recently left to get a better idea of what's going on there on a daily basis. It would be interesting to learn about the differences between Brennan v Lyons, COVID, etc.
As someone who loved sports and felt the only way to find professional happiness was in the field, I did it for around four year and it is exhausting. Think about all of the holidays, evenings and weekends that we spend watching sports on our couches with family and friends. So much goes into that. At the game there are marketing efforts, concessions, ushers, ticket takers, ect. Behind the scenes there are a dozen production folks making sure it goes off without a hitch. I spent a handful of Christmas Eves, Days, Thanksgivings, Fourth of Julys, etc sitting in a radio studio making sure games got on-air. Working in sports is tough. I get why after a certain amount of time other things would hold priority like family, having a personal life, or anything else.

It would be cool to get a deep dive into what the biggest differences have been under the current and former regimes. I'm not sure we could get anyone to be 100% transparent about it though. People tend to not bite the hand that feeds-publicly, anyway.
 

Bdub777

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Brennan has clearly gotten “his people” in most of the top positions, as it should be. So far the results appear positive with the hires of coaches, etc. There’s much more energy and enthusiasm….
 

GoRedbirds1!

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Curious where Dwight Merillat ended up. I don't see him on the staff directory.
 

Birdland

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Curious where Dwight Merillat ended up. I don't see him on the staff directory.
Dwight is on the directory, but apparently hasn't been around in months. My guess is that he is out the door but is just using banked personal time until his contract is up. In my opinion, he's better suited for a smaller college and lacks the vision for a DI program.
 

MadBird

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Dwight is on the directory, but apparently hasn't been around in months. My guess is that he is out the door but is just using banked personal time until his contract is up. In my opinion, he's better suited for a smaller college and lacks the vision for a DI program.
Seems like he was up for something smaller - DII somewhere? - recently but they didn't hire any of the candidates? Sound familiar to anyone?
 

GoRedbirds1!

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I'm curious if Kyle got rid of the assistant to the AD position, I don't see Chelsea Hood on the staff directory any more. As far as I recall, she was always heavily involved at games/events.
 

GoRedbirds1!

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Looks like both Sean Johnson and Travis Williams have departed. Interesting to see the high turnover rate within the leadership team since Kyle began.
 

Humdinger

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Looks like both Sean Johnson and Travis Williams have departed. Interesting to see the high turnover rate within the leadership team since Kyle began.
Nah not really. Admin is a turnover biz, especially when a new General comes marching in. And...if you want to move up in this business, most likely there's going to be a moderate to high amount of hopscotching. BTW, Sean's previous position...is amongst the worst in all of collegiate athletics. The burn rate is high on continually asking for money and having to listen to the bitching in the process. Not surprised regarding Sean at all. He's a very good dude with a bright future.
 

Birdswin

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Looks like both Sean Johnson and Travis Williams have departed. Interesting to see the high turnover rate within the leadership team since Kyle began.
Hooray - I for one, am all for it!!!! A lot of the previous folks are all nice people and I hope they find something much more suited for themselves. The Athletic Department was not moving - they wasted a Huge opportunity to capitalize on the National Championship appearance. They were not dynamic and were not getting the job done. Talking with them was matter-of-fact - no excitement and more than not, excuses. Yes, excuses on why they could not get something done. In just 19 months - Brennan has done more than anything in the previous 8 years. As far as Chelsea Hood is concerned - former student of my wife and I worked on several parent committees with her Dad at Normal West - she transferred within ISU. Yes, it was a promotion. In fact she was at our Tailgate with Kyle on Parents weekend.
 

Birdswin

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GoRedbirds1 - sounds like a lot of "hearsay" and no facts. Some people are Doers and get things done, while other's flounder, make excuses, and whine about those who are successful. I want Doers every time and in all aspects of life. I have NO use for whiners and especially those who complain about success.

AD Brennan has the IPF going up, took the steps to let Muller go early - which looks to be a Brilliant move, as we would not have gotten Ryan Pedon, if we had waited to the end of the season, acted quickly to get a good VB coach, and now has secured naming rights to bring in additional revenue. How many ADs did we hear from about why they could not get a naming rights deal done??? Actions, Actions, Actions.
 

Humdinger

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You state your case quite compellingly, Birdswin - and if you ask around (and talk to them) even the old-timers have been energized and bought into Kyle's direction. Whole department feels revitalized. If you don't feel revitalized you won't be on the train for too much longer. (ie: you'll be asked to leave) Kyle gets an "A" from me so far.

Finding a way for our basketball program to succeed in the current D1 landscape will be his biggest challenge by far. That grade has yet to be determined.
 
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Bdub777

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You state your case quite compellingly, Birdswin - and if you ask around (and talk to them) even the old-timers have been energized and bought into Kyle's direction. Whole department feels revitalized. If you don't feel revitalized you won't be on the train for too much longer. (ie: you'll be asked to leave) Kyle gets an "A" from me so far.

Finding a way for our basketball program to succeed in the current D1 landscape will be his biggest challenge by far. That grade has yet to be determined.
Agree 100%. The energy, enthusiasm and innovative environment Brennan has created is what was needed. It is unfortunate we didn’t get a dynamic leader sooner, but that’s in the past….the future is looking much brighter!
 
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Bird Friend

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Heard from a source that Johnson left to work for a marketing business focused on college sports, especially NIL. A little more money, no nights and weekends, and 100% remote. Hard to say no to something like that. The college sports biz causes a lot of flameouts.
 

Bdub777

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Heard from a source that Johnson left to work for a marketing business focused on college sports, especially NIL. A little more money, no nights and weekends, and 100% remote. Hard to say no to something like that. The college sports biz causes a lot of flameouts.
Good for him. Hope it works out.
 
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