The last time Kansas University searched for a new athletic director the committee needed a conference room.
This time they could meet in a breakfast nook.
Chancellor Robert Hemenway and interim AD Drue Jennings comprise the entire committee that will seek a replacement for Al Bohl, who was fired April 9.
During the summer of 2001, when KU sought a successor for Bob Frederick, Hemenway had appointed a diverse group composed of faculty, alumni and students that was headed by Reggie Robinson, then the chancellor’s top aide. In addition, Hemenway had hired a head-hunting firm to identify candidates.
This time Hemenway said he would consult with KU coaches and administrators and involve the KU Athletic Corp. board, but stated only he and Jennings would do the interviewing.
At Friday’s KUAC board meeting, Jennings told board members the main reason for the downsizing was secrecy.
“A lot of people won’t touch the job with a 10-foot pole if they think there will be a premature release of their identities,” he said.
Prior to Bohl’s hiring, names of several candidates who had been interviewed surfaced. That won’t happen this time, Hemenway said.
“The best people from other universities won’t want to be considered here if they think it will damage their position at home,” Hemenway said in a statement released by the university Friday afternoon.
Hemenway has set a deadline of July 1.
“The chancellor will be the lead on this, as he should be,” Jennings said. “I have agreed to support him in a staff role, and help him in any way I can.”
Jennings said Hemenway would use contacts he made as chair of the NCAA Division One Board of Directors.
“He has relationships from his work on that board,” Jennings said, “and he’ll rely on those.”
A 56-year-old retired CEO, Jennings said he did not want to be considered for the job. He did, however, offer an opinion about the next permanent AD.
“We need someone who can get a fire in his belly,” Jennings said. “There’s no excuse for us to excel in men’s basketball and struggle in the other sports.”
