Univ. of Minn. officially hunting for a new athletic director
MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - The University of Minnesota is officially looking for a new athletic director to replace Norwood Teague, who resigned in August amid sexual harassment allegations. President Eric Kaler announced Friday the U has agreed to use an independent search firm in the hunt.
Kaler said a search plan was developed after recommendations from an independent external review of Gopher Athletics in December 2015, as well as recommendations from Vice President for Human Resources Kathryn Brown, who met with members of the Board of Regents Audit and Compliance Committee Thursday.
Teague was hired using a search firm, but Brown said most schools in the Big Ten have utilized a search firm to hire an AD.
“This is an extremely important hire for the future of Gopher Athletics and its 25 programs and 720 student-athletes,” said Kaler. “This athletics director will provide strong leadership to our coaches, staff and student-athletes; forge relationships with thousands of donors, fans and the public; successfully complete the campaign for the Athletes Village; and drive Gopher Athletics’ academic and competitive success, both now and into the future. I’d like to thank Vice President Brown, members of the Board and everyone who provided insight into our hiring plan for Minnesota’s next athletics director."
The search will begin right away. Kaler said he will appoint a diverse committee with about 10 members to assist in the search.
Kaler said he expects to name a search firm and the search committee in early March, with finalists identified by late spring.