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#10: Arkansas will wear Dallas Cowboys replica uniforms during its game against Texas A&M at AT&T Stadium this weekend to honor Cowboys owner Jones for his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame last month. Jones, who was a co-captain on the Razorbacks’ 1964 national title team: "I don’t know that I’ve had anything happen to me that has been as meaningful as this gesture from the University of Arkansas." (link)
#9: Penn's student newspaper, The Daily Pennsylvanian (DP), examines the questions that have arisen since the hiring of Men's Golf HC Jason Calhoun, husband of AD Grace Calhoun. The paper cites the job done by former interim HC Blodgett, a former student-athlete who guided the team to an improved 2017 season despite its youth and who, according to one student-athlete did a "phenomenal job coaching. ... He knew exactly what he was doing and he was a great mentor to all of us." Despite that, Blodgett did not meet the minimum qualifications to hold the position on a permanent basis, according to AD Calhoun, who says she informed Blodgett "from our first conversation" that he would not be a candidate. Blodgett disputes that, saying he was not told until March that he had no chance of keeping the job. Moreover, the DP questions the qualifications put in place by Calhoun, including the requirement that next coach hold a Class A PGA certification. Golfweek Magazine writer Ringler: "Most college golf coaches do not have that classification. ... It's not something that's usually a part of the process." (link)
#8: Not long after Nebraska's news came word from Lafayette that longtime Leopards AD McCutcheon would retire as soon as his replacement is hired. "We’ve had a number of productive discussions with the committee geared toward improving athletic competitiveness, and plans are in place for future success, but as the conversations moved toward long-range planning with three- to five-year and five- to 10-year plans, it became clear to me that this process has moved beyond my intended horizon as athletic director. I notified President Byerly and Annette Diorio of my plans so that the process may begin for a smooth transition to new leadership in athletics." Prez Byerly says McCutcheon's greatest accomplishment among many in Easton has been "his steadfast focus on the overall growth and development of Lafayette’s student-athletes, who have gone on to leadership roles in a wide variety of settings." (link)
#7: AthleticDirectorU's Belzer examines the barriers to top tier leadership positions in college athletics for minorities in a piece that includes insights from leading minority ADs around the nation, as well as from key search firms. Belzer digs in on inherent bias research from notable author Kahneman, outlines considerations for both majority & minority leaders on how to improve the situation across college athletics. From a sitting minority AD, "Every day I have to prepare to be the athletics director at this institution. What does that mean? It means that I’m not going to see a lot of people like me today. And, while that doesn’t mean that I must change who I am as a person, it does mean that if I want to be successful at my job, I have to be flexible and learn to work within a framework that maximizes my ability to be successful at what I was hired to do." Advice from a search firm, "Many (minorities) believe they are simply being offered an interview on the basis that they are a minority – the 'token interview' as they say. But that is a false narrative; if you’re offered an interview, and you’re genuinely interested in the opportunity, then do it. Otherwise, not only have you guaranteed that you won’t get this job, but now you’ll make me think twice before we call you on the next opportunity." Full essay. (link)
#6: Omaha World-Herald columnist Barfknecht takes exception with the decisions of Nebraska AD Eichorst in recent years, dating back to his decision to hire FB HC Riley and culminating with the weekend's loss to Northern Illinois. "Nebraska paid Northern Illinois $820K to topple this former football power. That's on top of the $1.02M NU coughed up for getting NIU to cancel a previously scheduled 2016 game in Chicago." Barfknecht goes on to question Eichorst's unilateral decision to hire Riley before granting a contract extension in January, after NU lost four of its final six games. Full commentary. (link)
#5: USA Today columnist Wolken strikes a similarly pessimistic note regarding Riley and Eichorst, while Yahoo's Forde takes a look at LSU's AD-FB HC combination that could get more heat. Forde also notes the situation at Tennessee, but for different dynamics since Vols AD Currie didn't hire FB HC Jones. I suppose this is a good time to mention that we're only in Week 4 of the college FB season. (link, link)
#4: Former Texas A&M AD Hyman sat down with the Star-Telegram's Engel & let loose on his time as boss of the Aggies. Says "people didn't know what they were doing" in connection to the hefty contract he assumed for FB HC Sumlin & pointed to key university leadership & supporters who "would say things and do things that are mind-boggling." Indicates he didn't do enough research when considering the job to determine if he was the right fit, still believes A&M can be successful in the SEC "if they let people do their job," doesn't miss "some of the shenanigans that went on," would tell college students with the desire to become a 'Power 5' AD to "get a lobotomy first." More. (link)
#3: The next time a college FB program is sold on the open market will be the first, though I suppose these rankings on the most valuable programs around the nation are still worth something. WSJ's Beaton promotes analysis done by IUPUC professor Brewer based on most recent revenues & expenses, cash flow, risk assessments & growth projections. Here's your Top 10: Ohio State ($1.51B), Texas ($1.24B), Oklahoma ($1.001B), Alabama ($930M), LSU ($910.92M), Michigan ($892.95M), Notre Dame ($856.93M), Georgia ($822.31M), Tennessee ($745.64M) & Auburn ($724.19M). 115 total programs valued & ranked. (link)
#2: Nebraska Chancellor Green on the exit of AD Eichorst, "Winning can and often does happen in concert with well-run, quality college programs that work to ensure the success of the student. That’s our expectation. We take pride here in doing things right and doing the right thing, and that won’t change. This is not an either-or equation. We can and should win in that kind of environment." Eichorst: "While I am deeply disappointed in the decision today, I am grateful for the wonderful years that my family and I have spent at Nebraska. I am proud of how our student-athletes, coaches and staff represented this great university and state, and I am confident that the future is bright for Nebraska Athletics." The search for a new Huskers boss will start immediately. (link); The Omaha World-Herald'sBarfknecht & Shatel analyze Green's decision. (link, link); While Yahoo's Thamel does not believe the FB HC job in Lincoln is top tier anymore, he does think the AD opening is a much better chair than other current 'Power 5' opportunities at Virginia & Cal. Some may disagree with that position. (link); FWIW, Land of 10 lists Nebraska Omaha AD Alberts, Texas Tech boss Hocutt, Colorado State AD Parker, TCU AD Del Conte, Big 12 Senior Assoc. Commish Stewart & Boomer Esiason Foundation Prez Rimington as possible solutions in Lincoln. (link)
#1: SBD/SBJ's Smith broke the the news Tuesday of Learfield & IMG College working toward a merger of the two marketing firms. A significant development, to be sure. A combined company could offer up an interesting alternative to national broadcast & cable networks for sponsors who have a desire to market on campuses across the nation. A number of details remain, but Learfield Prez/CEO Brown will run the company with decision-making on the deal running all the way up to executive leaders at both Atairos & Silver Lake. The combined value of the two reported to be in the $2B range. Smith also added valuable context in todays' 1.Question interview below. More via the link, as well. (link)
