D1.ticker - Eliminate the barrage of articles & time-consuming
searches. Efficient D1 athletics news in a daily email.
#10: Baylor Assoc. AD for Branding & Creative Service Lentz exits Waco to become Asst. AD for MBB at Louisville. (link)
#9: Arizona Daily Star columnist Hansen examines the problems that have beset Arizona AD Heeke's first 13 months on the job and cites the hiring of Senior Assoc. AD for HR Swindlehurst as a sign of the department's disarray. Hansen calls Swindlehurst's position, a "job that didn't exist in college athletics since forever," a combination of "conflict management and damage control," but says it is one college campuses might deem "as important as that of the football coach" moving forward. Hansen credits Heeke for his decisiveness in monetary matters, citing a $66M commitment to facilities. He also credits Heeke's hiring of compliance officer Blaylock to change the compliance culture but finds fault with his lack of transparency in the parting of ways with former FB HC Rodriguez. The bottom line, according to Hansen, is: "Is Heeke the man for the job? He better be." (link)
#8: A thorough review of Kansas's financial situation comes from the Lawrence Journal-World as revenues for the Jayhawks have increased by 68% over the past 10+ years against expenses that have grown by 93%. In 2017, "donors had to cover a more than $19 million operating deficit the department posted for the year." Looks like Kansas has nearly $50M in endowment reserves, though by last year 52-cents of every dollar was going toward debt payments. KU AD Zenger: "I keep going back to, this is the rate at which Power 5 schools are growing their athletic departments. My job is to be mindful and to be competitive. But I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t tear at your gut at times. It really does." Overall, notable college athletics researcher & Cal professor emeritus Sperber, "I have come to realize that not only is college athletics the most dysfunctional business in America, it is also the most irrational." There's a ton here. (link)
#7: Another day, another AD development: Texas A&M-Corpus Christi boss Lazenby will step away from the Islanders, "After much consideration and conversations with my family, I have decided to step down as Director of Athletics for Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. With all of the positive changes on campus taking place this is the perfect time for me personally and for the University to make this change. It has been my privilege and honor to work for this University in this capacity." In the interim, MBB HC Wilson will oversee the department as a full search is readied. (link)
#6: ESPN and SportsCenter anchor Kerney have "agreed to part ways" (link)
#5: Notre Dame releases preview photos of its new 111K square-foot Football indoor practice facility, coming in 2019. (link)
#4: ESPN's Goodman reports "Cal State Northridge hiring former Maryland AD Kevin Anderson as it’s “interim” athletic director. Anderson will not be the permanent AD." More in D1.ticker tomorrow morning. (link)
#3: Former Notre Dame & NFL standout Zorich says he's ready for the challenge of taking over Chicago State's portfolio, "The main motivation for taking this job is that I see Chicago State as a hidden gem. I'm honored to become a part of the CSU family. I plan to bring together resources that I have found in places like the University of Notre Dame and help create a culture that will produce student-athletes who are encouraged to always do their best and to define success, not as much by whether they become professional athletes, but rather by a well-rounded ability to do well and be truly successful in life." CSU Interim Prez Lindsey: "I believe he brings the kind of authentic knowledge, support and guidance that could change the game for the University's athletic program, and we are counting on him to take that lead." (link, link)
#2: Former Tennessee & Kansas State AD Currie chats with AthleticDirectorU in his first public interview since exiting Knoxville. Currie provides perspective on his leadership philosophy, three takeaways from the experience at UT, what he's learned about the personal side of being an AD, how he'll be better in his next role, lessons he's learned about himself & more. Of note, "When we go through trials, tribulations and adversity, we can't depart from who we are and our core values. [...] We always have to stick to our core values and our integrity and never wavered from mine. [...] Ultimately as college athletics leaders, we're servants. We're serving our student-athletes, our universities, our alumni and constituencies." More in this exclusive discussion. (link)
#1: More change in Knoxville as Tennessee Chancellor Davenport is out after just 14 months on the job. UT Prez DiPietro cites a "lack of trust, collaboration, communication & transparency" between his office & Davenport's, that she "appear[s] unwilling to try to understand or acknowledge the value of the UT system," calls Davenport's business transactional skills "very poor," also points to lack of follow-up or acceptance of responsibility for subordinate errors, plus no communication of strategic vision to the university. Davenport now has the option of moving into a faculty role at a pay rate of $438K, down from her pay of $585K as Chancellor. More. (link); Local media voice SportsSourceTV believes there's a scenario where current Vols AD Fulmer becomes Prez of the entire UT system with DiPietro already planning to step down. (link)
