New AD wanted

[Total Red]

ISU Athletics Director resigns after questions about spending for Big Ten trip on Aaron Rossi’s plane

Illinois State University Athletics Director Kyle Brennan has resigned following questions raised by WGLT about spending on a donor trip to Indianapolis on one of Aaron Rossi’s private planes.

www.wglt.org

I nominate Mike Williams for Interim AD.

 

[fdbird83]

I have no idea if coach Spack's seat was hot or not, but this should relieve some of the pressure if there was any.

 

[DaveBird10]

ISU Athletics Director resigns after questions about spending for Big Ten trip on Aaron Rossi’s plane

Illinois State University Athletics Director Kyle Brennan has resigned following questions raised by WGLT about spending on a donor trip to Indianapolis on one of Aaron Rossi’s private planes.

www.wglt.org

I nominate Mike Williams for Interim AD.

I would be all for Mike Williams for interim AD.

 

[GoRedbirds1!]

I would be all for Mike Williams for interim AD.

Get real...

 

[Total Red]

Get real...

And who would you select?

 

[GoRedbirds1!]

Certainly not the Asst AD for Communications.

 

[Total Red]

That's not an answer or a solution. Mike knows the dept. He would run it with integrity and efficiency. It's hard to find someone on an interim basis, so he would be as good as anyone. Unfortunately, I don't know if he would be interested.

 

[GoRedbirds1!]

That's not an answer or a solution. Mike knows the dept. He would run it with integrity and efficiency. It's hard to find someone on an interim basis, so he would be as good as anyone. Unfortunately, I don't know if he would be interested.

You're right - I didn't provide an answer. However, if all you're looking for is integrity and efficiency - why wouldn't you bring in Larry on an interim basis? Better yet, why not get someone outside of the athletics department with no vested interest or bias to oversee the unit on a interim basis.

Simply saying that Mike knows the department making him as good as anyone is a laughable solution.

 

[Total Red]

You're right - I didn't provide an answer. However, if all you're looking for is integrity and efficiency - why wouldn't you bring in Larry on an interim basis? Better yet, why not get someone outside of the athletics department with no vested interest or bias to oversee the unit on a interim basis.

Simply saying that Mike knows the department making him as good as anyone is a laughable solution.

What's happening right now would be laughable if it weren't so sad. This wouldn't be happening under Mike.

Larry Lyons is a possible option if he's interested. Let's see how many
posters endorse your idea.

 

[GoRedbirds1!]

What's happening right now would be laughable if it weren't so sad. This wouldn't be happening under Mike.

Larry Lyons is a possible option if he's interested. Let's see how many
posters endorse your idea.

If I didn't know any better it almost sounds as if you work in the Communications department pushing this narrative.

That seems like a great idea -- gather supporters from posters on this thread. Maybe we can get interim President Tarhule to defer the appointment to the winner on our thread!

 

[cicada_jimmy01]

What's happening right now would be laughable if it weren't so sad. This wouldn't be happening under Mike.

Larry Lyons is a possible option if he's interested. Let's see how many
posters endorse your idea.

lol Larry ain't coming back after what happened with him

 

[Hamdonger]

Frankly, under Kyle, the athletics communucations office has pretty much been left to itself/themselves. Which I find bizarre. Mike is a GREAT proponent of ISU athletics - in particular our football program. But in consideration for interim AD? That's not going to happen. Not even a remote chance. Not that Mike couldn't bring some merit. But not gonna happen.

 

[normalbird]

It usually takes a long time to hire a President. Would you accept the AD position from the interim President?

 

[Total Red]

Frankly, under Kyle, the athletics communucations office has pretty much been left to itself/themselves. Which I find bizarre. Mike is a GREAT proponent of ISU athletics - in particular our football program. But in consideration for interim AD? That's not going to happen. Not even a remote chance. Not that Mike couldn't bring some merit. But not gonna happen.

Ok, but telling us who isn't going to be the interim AD doesn't get the position filled or solve the problem. Someone has to do it. If you have a name let's hear it.

Better yet, why not get someone outside of the athletics department with no vested interest or bias to oversee the unit on a interim basis.

Because it's an interim (short-term) position. If you bring in a stranger it will take months for them get to know the coaches/university admin/and the staff in their dept. They'll also need to learn about existing operating procedures. An existing employee would have a clear leg up. The last time we needed an interim AD, Larry Lyons was hired from within. Also, the University President is an interim that was hired from within. Hiring from within is almost standard procedure for interim positions for obvious reasons.

As I expected there isn't a lot of support for Larry Lyons doing another interim gig, assuming he would even be interested.

Leanna Bordner is the most senior member of the Athletic Dept. Is that who you want? She's the most obvious alternative to Mike Williams. Take your pick or make another pick. Maybe Sean Johnson would come back. I hadn't thought of him before because I thought he wouldn't be interested in coming back to work for a college athletic dept but I may have been wrong.

Whatever you do pick someone. Just shooting down names is not a solution. Until then my Mike Williams suggestion is looking pretty good because no one can name someone better.

 

[Total Red]

It usually takes a long time to hire a President. Would you accept the AD position from the interim President?

Good question. Obviously having an AD opening with an interim President is not an ideal situation. Even so there isn't a shortage of people in college athletics that want to move up to an AD position so there would be plenty of applicants. The concern would be whether or not the very best applicants would apply. If you had a sterling reputation as an up and comer with you pick of schools, would you choose a school with an interim President? Maybe not and I assume that's the point you are making.

On the other hand, we haven't had good luck even when we weren't handcuffed. There are lots of talented people out there currently working in college athletics or a related field. It may require digging deeper and doing a better job of recruiting, interviewing and selecting but I'm sure there is a good person to be had. It's hit or miss even in the best of circumstances. Aren't we due for some good luck?

 

[Hamdonger]

Ok, but telling us who isn't going to be the interim AD doesn't get the position filled or solve the problem. Someone has to do it. If you have a name let's hear it.

Because it's an interim (short-term) position. If you bring in a stranger it will take months for them get to know the coaches/university admin/and the staff in their dept. They'll also need to learn about existing operating procedures. An existing employee would have a clear leg up. The last time we needed an interim AD, Larry Lyons was hired from within. Also, the University President is an interim that was hired from within. Hiring from within is almost standard procedure for interim positions for obvious reasons.

As I expected there isn't a lot of support for Larry Lyons doing another interim gig, assuming he would even be interested.

Leanna Bordner is the most senior member of the Athletic Dept. Is that who you want? She's the most obvious alternative to Mike Williams. Take your pick or make another pick. Maybe Sean Johnson would come back. I hadn't thought of him before because I thought he wouldn't be interested in coming back to work for a college athletic dept but I may have been wrong.

Whatever you do pick someone. Just shooting down names is not a solution. Until then my Mike Williams suggestion is looking pretty good because no one can name someone better.

This isn't about who I want, or me (or any of us) solving the problem...why do you read it that way?? I mentioned this morning in the main thread that Leanna is the most likely interim choice and that it makes the most sense. And for the record, I wasn't going after Mike. PR-wise he'd be the most prepared (imo) to handle the scuttlebutt. But if you understood the dynamics of the athletic department and media relations in recent times...there's just no way Mike is even going to be considered - which is too bad. It's no personal knock on him. I'm a fan because I come from that arena. Even less likely than Mike? Sean Johnson. You're ripping on me for stating who's not going to get it, but your suggestions aren't even close...or logical. Sean Johnson??? Great guy who I sincerely like. Fundraising hustler - he hustled his butt off for ISU - but very very little admin experience as it relates to running an entire D1 athletic program. Man, he doesn't even get a ticket to the fight!

 

[Total Red]

This isn't about who I want, or me (or any of us) solving the problem...why do you read it that way?? I mentioned this morning in the main thread that Leanna is the most likely interim choice and that it makes the most sense.

You've been around long enough to know that's what we do here. We discuss problems related to athletics and try to come up with solutions.
Evidently you do understand because you've now provided a name that "makes the most sense" to you. Thank you. That's a real name and that's all I was asking for. And I agree that Leanna is the most likely person to be selected. I just happen to prefer Mike. Maybe that's because I've met Mike and I don't really know Leanna.
Btw, in case you didn't know fundraising ability is highly valued in collegiate circles. When Al Bowman was President, he talked about how fundraising had become a big part of his job and that it took a lot of his time. That may be even more true for the AD position. I'm not saying that the nuts and bolts of running an athletic dept. aren't important, but you can usually find people to organize and manage things. Quality fundraisers are valued rare birds because money solves a lot of other problems. So someone like Sean Johnson should be considered because if you don't get the importance of fundraising, then Man, you don't get modern college athletics.

 

[Reggie Redbird]

I have to believe it will be Leanna Bordner. Considering her role and distance from the Brennan regime, she seems the overwhelming favorite. The campus and local community know her very well, and she is the highest-ranking person remaining.

After that, you are probably looking at Cindy Harris or someone from outside the university.

I would put money in Sean Johnson or Mike Williams before anyone else on staff. The fact that is being discussed shows that some people think a house-cleaning is coming.

If you want some names of folks who would probably do well in the role and may not flat-out say no:

-Dr. Chad McEvoy - new CAST Dean but renowned in the sports business world. He was VP/Chief of Staff to the Provost at NIU, and he would know all facets of running a department and leading in higher education. He could be temporarily assigned to this spot, and they could delay him as Dean until a hire is made. Perhaps, he would consider a combined role where he is the interim leader but someone like Leanna runs the day-to-day operations.

-Dr. Jeri Beggs - retired NCAA faculty rep and now a senior exec with the MVC. She may be the best choice not on staff if she’s willing to say no to the MVC. This would probably be costly because you would have to compensate near/at her pension and MVC salary total.

-Melinda Fischer - has the most institutional knowledge, a strong connection across the department and campus, limitless energy and passion for ISU, solid fundraiser. She is the only former coach I can think of for this role.

-Pres. Al Bowman - he was chair of the MVC President’s group and would energize a fan base. Like Dr. Beggs, he would have to want to do this job.

 

[TIMMY]

Dr. Phil Esten from St. Thomas. But you'd have to pay him to pry him away and even then it might be a tough get. But... Tough gets are most often good gets.

Don't know how he feels about Nudie Bars.

 

[MadBird]

Dr. Phil Esten from St. Thomas. But you'd have to pay him to pry him away and even then it might be a tough get. But... Tough gets are most often good gets.

Don't know how he feels about Nudie Bars.

Maybe, but seems unlikely he'd leave the old alma mater when he's just a couple years into the DI move. And I'm sure dough is no problem at UST.