|
Post by unafied on May 21, 2021 11:18:58 GMT -6
Mark Linder will be stepping down as AD on June 1. Unfortunately, I'm assuming that means no coaching changes will be taking place any time soon (especially in the one sport that needs it most).
|
|
|
Post by unalions on May 21, 2021 11:50:59 GMT -6
Mark Linder will be stepping down as AD on June 1. Unfortunately, I'm assuming that means no coaching changes will be taking place any time soon (especially in the one sport that needs it most). He certainly deserves thanks and kudos for his work at UNA. Yet, while I agree with you in the short term about coaching changes, I'm so happy to hear this news!! I think this is the opportunity for change the entire department needs moving into full D1 membership. An early front-runner for the job has to be Bobby Wallace.
|
|
|
Post by unalions on May 21, 2021 11:56:41 GMT -6
|
|
|
Post by unafan on May 21, 2021 16:28:18 GMT -6
I am sure Wallace will be "approached".
|
|
|
Post by unafied on May 21, 2021 16:44:22 GMT -6
If Bobby were to come back, man… talk about a strange career. How many times has he bounced between UNA and UWA?
I’d probably prefer going for someone younger, who could potentially be with us for a long time. Maybe someone that has some business savvy. That seems to be the big thing in college sports these days, as far as ADs go.
Can we find someone that knows some good baseball coaches?
|
|
|
Post by unalions on May 21, 2021 17:33:19 GMT -6
It would be odd/interesting if he returned to UNA for this job. And maybe he’s not interested at all. We’ll see. My thing is that he instantly draws press attention and excitement. I was living back in Florence briefly when he was hired back as coach and the buzz was great.
Sure, he’s older but one part of an AD’s job is to be a fundraiser and figurehead of sorts when it comes to getting the older money in the area to donate. I could see the stadium project getting a re-boot quickly if he returned. Even if he’s only there 4-5 years. They are very important years.
|
|
|
Post by roaringsince96 on May 21, 2021 18:27:19 GMT -6
I hope Kitts keeps a list of his top 3-5 choices close by. This next hire needs to be our best hire. We have several potential facility upgrades along with coaching decisions that have to be addressed. I believe the vacancy will attract plenty of attention and viable candidates. Who wouldn’t want to be part of a university that is about to be in dance for the first time? Win a D1 conference title for the first time? Win a playoff game for the first time? Win double digit baseball games for the first time....well that maybe later.
Our coaches seem to have most of the recruiting onus placed directly on them. How exciting it could be to have an athletic director help provide infrastructure for the athletic programs for recruiting, fundraisers, upgrades, etc.
|
|
|
Post by unafied on May 22, 2021 5:07:13 GMT -6
It would be odd/interesting if he returned to UNA for this job. And maybe he’s not interested at all. We’ll see. My thing is that he instantly draws press attention and excitement. I was living back in Florence briefly when he was hired back as coach and the buzz was great. Sure, he’s older but one part of an AD’s job is to be a fundraiser and figurehead of sorts when it comes to getting the older money in the area to donate. I could see the stadium project getting a re-boot quickly if he returned. Even if he’s only there 4-5 years. They are very important years. Yeah, let me stress that I would not be disappointed if Bobby took the job. Especially if he can help raise the money to get construction started on a football stadium. But if it’s NOT him, I would prefer someone that could potentially give us 10-15 years.
|
|
|
Post by unafied on May 28, 2021 7:02:35 GMT -6
The TD says that Ross Alexander, provost and executive vice present for academic affairs, will be leading the "nationwide" search for a new AD. President Kitts says the plan is to have the new guy in place by the beginning of the fall semester.
In all seriousness, I know a lot of us are disappointed with the current direction of a couple of sports. What I think might happen is, the new AD will come in and basically have to give each team another season to show improvement. Then he will be able to make a change and "bring in his own people". Of course, it makes me worry that a sport like baseball will fall even further behind, but I think it is what it is at this point.
|
|
|
Post by tuna85 on May 28, 2021 14:56:56 GMT -6
The TD says that Ross Alexander, provost and executive vice present for academic affairs, will be leading the "nationwide" search for a new AD. President Kitts says the plan is to have the new guy in place by the beginning of the fall semester. In all seriousness, I know a lot of us are disappointed with the current direction of a couple of sports. What I think might happen is, the new AD will come in and basically have to give each team another season to show improvement. Then he will be able to make a change and "bring in his own people". Of course, it makes me worry that a sport like baseball will fall even further behind, but I think it is what it is at this point. Wonder if Paul Mainieri would like to take on a FCS startup rebuild job as a challenge. If available, would we wait to give the current coach another season? Ah, if wishes were horses we'd all have a ride.
|
|
|
Post by unafied on May 28, 2021 20:11:39 GMT -6
The TD says that Ross Alexander, provost and executive vice present for academic affairs, will be leading the "nationwide" search for a new AD. President Kitts says the plan is to have the new guy in place by the beginning of the fall semester. In all seriousness, I know a lot of us are disappointed with the current direction of a couple of sports. What I think might happen is, the new AD will come in and basically have to give each team another season to show improvement. Then he will be able to make a change and "bring in his own people". Of course, it makes me worry that a sport like baseball will fall even further behind, but I think it is what it is at this point. Wonder if Paul Mainieri would like to take on a FCS startup rebuild job as a challenge. If available, would we wait to give the current coach another season? Ah, if wishes were horses we'd all have a ride. He’s only 63, so still young-ish for coaching. If we wait until after next season to make a change, and he’s had a year to rest… who knows? Might as well shoot for the stars.
|
|
|
Post by tuna85 on May 28, 2021 20:15:00 GMT -6
Wonder if Paul Mainieri would like to take on a FCS startup rebuild job as a challenge. If available, would we wait to give the current coach another season? Ah, if wishes were horses we'd all have a ride. He’s only 63, so still young-ish for coaching. If we wait until after next season to make a change, and he’s had a year to rest… who knows? Might as well shoot for the stars. There you go. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
|
|
|
Post by roaringsince96 on May 29, 2021 19:09:40 GMT -6
Would like to see us talk to Mike Kinnison or Joe Urso. Both are very successful and not too far from Florence, probably recruited a lot of similar areas.
|
|
|
Post by brandon on Jun 30, 2021 19:49:32 GMT -6
Any indication of finalists for the AD job... I've heard nothing, at all...
|
|
|
Post by unafied on Jul 1, 2021 7:06:28 GMT -6
Any indication of finalists for the AD job... I've heard nothing, at all... Well with volleyball coach Bob White stepping down due to health problems, it'll be interested to see how that's handled. With the interim guy start the process of finding someone? Or will they just promote an interim coach from within, and give the new guy some time to hire a permanent replacement? Indoor volleyball, at least, has stunk pretty bad since the move up. We once won a national championship in that sport, so it would be nice to find someone that can make us respectable again. All that to say... I haven't heard any names. Not that I have many connections, anyway.
|
|