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<span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>Kragthorpe: Checklist for hiring an Aggie AD</span>

Kurt Kragthorpe
Salt Lake Tribune Columnist

Having hit thousands of golf balls on the field south of the Smith Spectrum, witnessed every Utah State football victory over Brigham Young in the past 25 years (well, both) and dated several Aggiettes (well, one . . . briefly), I am declaring myself highly qualified to offer guidance to USU president Kermit L. Hall and the seven members of his advisory committee in their search for an Aggie athletic director.

It's simply a matter of comparing this blueprint to the list of candidates. The new AD should have these exact qualities:

* Background: The committee's choice must be thoroughly familiar with USU's history and traditions and have plenty of fresh, outside ideas.

He should understand how major college football programs operate, because a lot of them are on the Aggies' schedule.

Awareness of USU's past football success is critical. For example, he should know who Tony Adams is, although he does not have to be Tony Adams.

He must have a clear grasp of USU's place in the Division I-A athletic picture and encourage enthusiasm about the Aggies' move into the Western Athletic Conference, disregarding how USU already was playing in a league with Fresno State and San Jose State some 25 years ago.

* Personality/behavior: Considering he will follow Rance Pugmire, who resigned before pleading guilty to alcohol-related reckless driving, he always needs to act like one of the guys -- and remember he's a high-profile school representative.

He needs to make as many friends as possible and become a popular figure, while being willing to make unpopular decisions.

He must motivate the athletic department staff members to perform better, ideally tricking them into thinking they are not overworked nor underpaid.

* Priorities: This hiring comes at a critical time for USU, with Romney Stadium improvements in the works and WAC play in all sports beginning in September 2005.

The new leader must improve the football facilities, while figuring out how USU can win before everything is fixed.

He must raise huge dollars to increase the football budget, without offending anyone by actually asking for money.

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