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A: Experienced WMU Athletic Administrator
B: Proven Athletic Administrator from elsewhere.
C: Experienced Business Professional since Athletics is now a business
D: Current or Former WMU coach
E: other

Steve Hawkins?

Gonna be a Montgomery Yes man(or woman).

Kathy was a great administrator. She kept budgets in line, high grad rates and no major embarrassing issues. My sense is that she was a bit of an introvert and we could use someone that can be front and center in the community in addition to the administrative skills.

I would vote for C with a proven, respected business leader in the community or the ability to develop community relationships.

Saddi Washington or Tony Proudfoot

Montgomery will look for a minority, someone with experience at WMU, and who will keep the status quo.

The ideal choice would be someone with a successful track record in athletic administration at a level below an AD or someone who’s a successful AD at a lower level athletic division and ready to assume more responsibility. We all know local politics, favorites and comfort zones will influence the decision greatly. I don’t expect the ideal choice.

I have no faith in them making the right hire. We need somebody that understands the deep issues WMU has and somebody that can make coaches, workers, and students prideful to be Broncos. Somebody that will make all athletes feel wanted by the department and in turn will stay engaged with the department long after the graduate. I'm quite certain they will hire some random person from a P5 (like Tony Proudfoot). Their first day when they realize they aren't in their cushiony office with 50 support people to do whatever they want them to will be a major shock to whoever is hired. WMU's staff is completely depleted, overworked, and low on morale. They need somebody to rally the troops and willing to get dirty with everybody.

(11-24-2021 10:46 AM)StrikeGold1 Wrote:  I have no faith in them making the right hire. We need somebody that understands the deep issues WMU has and somebody that can make coaches, workers, and students prideful to be Broncos. Somebody that will make all athletes feel wanted by the department and in turn will stay engaged with the department long after the graduate. I'm quite certain they will hire some random person from a P5 (like Tony Proudfoot). Their first day when they realize they aren't in their cushiony office with 50 support people to do whatever they want them to will be a major shock to whoever is hired. WMU's staff is completely depleted, overworked, and low on morale. They need somebody to rally the troops and willing to get dirty with everybody.

I totally believe that AD choice from P5 would be only looking at WMU as stepping stone.
I prefer new AD looking at WMU as career choice.

Proven Athletic Administrator from elsewhere.

Although TBH I wouldn't mind an ex or current coach

(11-24-2021 10:30 AM)GRBRONCO Wrote:  Montgomery will look for a minority, someone with experience at WMU, and who will keep the status quo.

this is what will happen

Looks like WMU has MAC competition for next AD

UToledo to Launch National Search for Athletic Director - University of Toledo Athletics
https://utrockets.com/news/2021/10/28/at...ector.aspx

I don’t remember seeing if WMU has search AD committee.

Yes, WMU has a search firm.

I just don't like the P5 hires for the MAC. Buffalo hired Allen Greene who came in, dumped money into football while cutting sports, and then left town a month later for Auburn to leave a mess for the next guy. Heather Lyke did the exact same thing and EMU got sued in federal court. Dave Heeke left a mess at CMU. It happens over and over again.

(11-24-2021 12:03 PM)StrikeGold1 Wrote:  Yes, WMU has a search firm.

I just don't like the P5 hires for the MAC. Buffalo hired Allen Greene who came in, dumped money into football while cutting sports, and then left town a month later for Auburn to leave a mess for the next guy. Heather Lyke did the exact same thing and EMU got sued in federal court. Dave Heeke left a mess at CMU. It happens over and over again.

Former WMU AD Jim Weaver quickly left WMU for Virginia Tech

(11-24-2021 12:03 PM)StrikeGold1 Wrote:  Yes, WMU has a search firm.

Does WMU search firm report to a committee or Pres Montgomery?

As long as it’s a national search and someone who doesn’t or never did work for WMU. This may help kill the mediocrity bug

Just because it's a "national search" doesn't mean that they won't be terrible. They should be looking for the right person, no matter where they come from.

My understanding is there is a on-campus committee working with the firm that reports to Montgomery who will make the final decision

(11-24-2021 01:02 PM)StrikeGold1 Wrote:  Just because it's a "national search" doesn't mean that they won't be terrible. They should be looking for the right person, no matter where they come from.

My understanding is there is a on-campus committee working with the firm that reports to Montgomery who will make the final decision

True anybody could be terrible. But I like the chances of shaking things up and striving for more than mediocrity with someone outside WMU

I do not know the answer to this question.

Historically we have had some "bad luck" hiring ADs from outside WMU family - Wonderling, Meinert for example.

Leland Byrd was good but could not co-exist with President Haenicke (not the only one).

Jim Weaver skipped town as soon as he could.

Think what you will about Beauregard - she was loyal, cared about WMU, ready for the job when she got it, did well under the circumstances (different presidents and changing conditions).

"National searches" in MAC almost always wind up with somebody looking for a stepping-stone job or somebody within geographical area looking to move up from lower level.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Someone with experience working with D1 hockey programs and a successful track record in fund raising.