New AD wanted

[Adunk33]

-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.

If there is anyone that could right the ship quickly, this is the guy. Throw whatever money you need to out him to bring him out of retirement for a few years and have him groom someone he trusts to take over after that. Doubtful, but it would be a no-brainer if he's willing.

 

[DBird]

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.

I wonder if I know of a few other AD’S that have frequented a Nudie Bar.

 

[isuphloyd]

Former ISU Women's Basketball assistant coach Cherie Swarthout. Athletic Director at Queens University in Charlotte. Just oversaw the transition from D2 to D1 for Queens

Cherie Swarthout - Director of Athletics - Staff Directory - Queens University of Charlotte Athletics

Cherie Swarthout is the third person to lead Queens Athletics after being named the director of athletics in May of 2016. Swarthout was promoted to her new role

queensathletics.com

 

[Reggie1857]

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

Thank God!

 

[TIMMY]

I wonder if I know of a few other AD’S that have frequented a Nudie Bar.

Didn't you tell me you and crazymark are in Big Al's HOF?

 

[TIMMY]

Former ISU Women's Basketball assistant coach Cherie Swarthout. Athletic Director at Queens University in Charlotte. Just oversaw the transition from D2 to D1 for Queens

Cherie Swarthout - Director of Athletics - Staff Directory - Queens University of Charlotte Athletics

Cherie Swarthout is the third person to lead Queens Athletics after being named the director of athletics in May of 2016. Swarthout was promoted to her new role

queensathletics.com

They don't have football but Spack doesn't listen to anyone anyway.

 

[topiarydan]

Adam Kinzinger

 

[DBird]

Didn't you tell me you and crazymark are in Big Al's HOF?

That's below the belt!

 

[Redbird222]

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.

Looks like Beggs ... good call

 

[fourthandshort]

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.

ding ding ding .. we have winner .. interim winner

-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.

 

[Total Red]

Ok now that we have an interim AD we can start thinking about a permanent AD. Sheahon Zenger is a name that will be thrown out there. Dr. Zenger is the interim President at the University of New Haven. Maybe he likes academic administration and prefers to pursue that instead.

We could also go back to where we left off in late 2020. Here were the 4 finalists for the AD job at that time.

The candidates include: Kyle Brennan from the University of Utah, Tamica Smith Jones from the University of California, Riverside, University of Arizona Assistant Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Derek van de Merwe, and Eastern Illinois University Director of Athletics Tom Michael. A brief bio on the four candidates can be found here.

We know about Kyle Brennan. Tamica Smith Jones is now the Chief Operational Officer of the Kennesaw State athletic dept. so she is still a possibility, but she was the AD at U Cal-Riverside. Is COO at Kennesaw State a move up, down or sideways? Maybe she just prefers Georgia. Derek van de Merwe became the AD at Bowling Green late last year, so I doubt he's looking. Tom Michael is still the AD at Eastern. I imagine he would still be very interested.

Dr. Jeri Beggs is a possibility if the interim term goes well. Jeri briefly addressed the team after the spring football game. Nice touch.

I like the idea of hiring from within so I would consider going with her or perhaps I would go with Rob Judson for President and Brock Spack for AD. Or maybe the other way around. Either way athletics gets all the funding they need and every academic dept. get an old Vrooman cafeteria spoon to suck on.

 

[cubird]

The last 2 outside university administrative hires apparently have not been vetted well. Sometimes it turns out not to be a good fit and other times well...shit happens! Can't see former ADs coming back that went on to a P5 or are retired or soon will be. Dr. Beggs at least should be familiar with what the job requires and if she is a good fit.
Tommy M. would do a good job. Experience with Illini big budget and EIU small budget. Not sure how good a fund raiser he is, but they some how did not drop any sports during Covid. Ambitiously need to get a hire by fall semester.

 

[MadBird]

Ok now that we have an interim AD we can start thinking about a permanent AD. Sheahon Zenger is a name that will be thrown out there. Dr. Zenger is the interim President at the University of New Haven. Maybe he likes academic administration and prefers to pursue that instead.

We could also go back to where we left off in late 2020. Here were the 4 finalists for the AD job at that time.

The candidates include: Kyle Brennan from the University of Utah, Tamica Smith Jones from the University of California, Riverside, University of Arizona Assistant Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Derek van de Merwe, and Eastern Illinois University Director of Athletics Tom Michael. A brief bio on the four candidates can be found here.

We know about Kyle Brennan. Tamica Smith Jones is now the Chief Operational Officer of the Kennesaw State athletic dept. so she is still a possibility, but she was the AD at U Cal-Riverside. Is COO at Kennesaw State a move up, down or sideways? Maybe she just prefers Georgia. Derek van de Merwe became the AD at Bowling Green late last year, so I doubt he's looking. Tom Michael is still the AD at Eastern. I imagine he would still be very interested.

Dr. Jeri Beggs is a possibility if the interim term goes well. Jeri briefly addressed the team after the spring football game. Nice touch.

I like the idea of hiring from within so I would consider going with her or perhaps I would go with Rob Judson for President and Brock Spack for AD. Or maybe the other way around. Either way athletics gets all the funding they need and every academic dept. get an old Vrooman cafeteria spoon to suck on.

Kennesaw is on the way to FBS and Conference USA. 43,000 students. Classified as a doctoral research institution.

Sure seems like our interim has a very nice resume, altho no "real" administrative experience?

I wonder - don't know any of the details - if Wisconsin lost some people when they brought in AD McIntosh a couple years ago. Might be some decent talent available there.

 

[dpdoughbird06]

Ok now that we have an interim AD we can start thinking about a permanent AD. Sheahon Zenger is a name that will be thrown out there. Dr. Zenger is the interim President at the University of New Haven. Maybe he likes academic administration and prefers to pursue that instead.

We could also go back to where we left off in late 2020. Here were the 4 finalists for the AD job at that time.

The candidates include: Kyle Brennan from the University of Utah, Tamica Smith Jones from the University of California, Riverside, University of Arizona Assistant Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Derek van de Merwe, and Eastern Illinois University Director of Athletics Tom Michael. A brief bio on the four candidates can be found here.

We know about Kyle Brennan. Tamica Smith Jones is now the Chief Operational Officer of the Kennesaw State athletic dept. so she is still a possibility, but she was the AD at U Cal-Riverside. Is COO at Kennesaw State a move up, down or sideways? Maybe she just prefers Georgia. Derek van de Merwe became the AD at Bowling Green late last year, so I doubt he's looking. Tom Michael is still the AD at Eastern. I imagine he would still be very interested.

Dr. Jeri Beggs is a possibility if the interim term goes well. Jeri briefly addressed the team after the spring football game. Nice touch.

I like the idea of hiring from within so I would consider going with her or perhaps I would go with Rob Judson for President and Brock Spack for AD. Or maybe the other way around. Either way athletics gets all the funding they need and every academic dept. get an old Vrooman cafeteria spoon to suck on.

Give the College of Business a nice branded tumbler, at least. They are churning out some impressive grads - and potential future donors - of late. I sat on a panel with three of them last week and the data analytics some of them are doing blew my mind.

Maybe athletics could engage them in a field studies project as seniors to help better identify donor prospects. Dr. Beggs staying on as AD might explore doing just this, as she comes from the Marketing Department.

Of course winning will beget more donations than all the best targeted overtures a mediocre program can make, so hopefully a Frisco run is in the cards, too.

 

[RagingRedbird]

I saw this thread and had to chime in that there’s a great candidate (ISU alum) who would be perfect for this.

We are from the same hometown, and I don’t know if he’s personally interested, but I would suggest they reach out to Cleveland State University Athletic Director Scott Garrett. Again an ISU grad, but has a Power 5 football background with a long stint at Kansas State.

He’s done a massive overhaul at Cleveland State during his tenure. He has a strong marketing and fundraising background. Once he arrived, the basketball team ended a long drought and made the NCAA tournament.

So many reasons to give him a call.

Cleveland State University

Cleveland State University

www.csuvikings.com

 

[Hamdonger]

I saw this thread and had to chime in that there’s a great candidate (ISU alum) who would be perfect for this.

We are from the same hometown, and I don’t know if he’s personally interested, but I would suggest they reach out to Cleveland State University Athletic Director Scott Garrett. Again an ISU grad, but has a Power 5 football background with a long stint at Kansas State.

He’s done a massive overhaul at Cleveland State during his tenure. He has a strong marketing and fundraising background. Once he arrived, the basketball team ended a long drought and made the NCAA tournament.

So many reasons to give him a call.

Cleveland State University

Cleveland State University

www.csuvikings.com

Interesting.

 

[isuquinndog]

I saw this thread and had to chime in that there’s a great candidate (ISU alum) who would be perfect for this.

We are from the same hometown, and I don’t know if he’s personally interested, but I would suggest they reach out to Cleveland State University Athletic Director Scott Garrett. Again an ISU grad, but has a Power 5 football background with a long stint at Kansas State.

He’s done a massive overhaul at Cleveland State during his tenure. He has a strong marketing and fundraising background. Once he arrived, the basketball team ended a long drought and made the NCAA tournament.

So many reasons to give him a call.

Cleveland State University

Cleveland State University

www.csuvikings.com

Holy shit I didn't know he was an AD at a University! He played trombone with me in the BRMM! Hell yes hire him!

 

[Manchester Matt]

Great call and first post, Raging! One of Garrett's first hires at CSU was Dennis Gates. That was obviously a home run. Very, very intriguing name.

 

[MadBird]

I saw this thread and had to chime in that there’s a great candidate (ISU alum) who would be perfect for this.

We are from the same hometown, and I don’t know if he’s personally interested, but I would suggest they reach out to Cleveland State University Athletic Director Scott Garrett. Again an ISU grad, but has a Power 5 football background with a long stint at Kansas State.

He’s done a massive overhaul at Cleveland State during his tenure. He has a strong marketing and fundraising background. Once he arrived, the basketball team ended a long drought and made the NCAA tournament.

So many reasons to give him a call.

Cleveland State University

Cleveland State University

www.csuvikings.com

Interesting bio, also had stops at UIC and Wichita St.

 

[TIMMY]

9 years at KSU. A great resume and is an ISU guy. Interesting. I like Beggs and think she's a nice, safe option to get us out of the shitter but if she's not in for the long haul I'd say go for it.