The Univ. of Texas has "hired the services of executive search firm Korn/Ferry Int'l for $200,000, plus expenses, to assist in its nationwide search" for a new AD, according to Kirk Bohls of the AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN. The money "will be paid out of the athletic budget." Korn/Ferry "assisted the Big 12 in its recent hunt for a commissioner." West Virginia AD Oliver Luck, who is "considered to be a leading candidate for the position," has declined to comment. Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby, Oklahoma AD Joe Castiglione and TCU AD Chris Del Conte "have all declined to show interest." Bowlsby has been "adamant in his insistence that he is not leaving his job" (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 10/11). YAHOO SPORTS' Pat Forde writes it became apparent on Thursday that Louisville "would keep its prized athletic director, Tom Jurich." Sources said that Jurich is "committed to" the school and is not a candidate for the UT AD job "or any other AD job." A source said, "He wants to stay with (Louisville president) Jim Ramsey." With Jurich "off the board, there is speculation Texas would look within the Big 12 conference," and Luck's name "has been mentioned." Castiglione "could be an attractive candidate, but changing sides in that rivalry would be dicey politically" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 10/11).
NEW BLOOD: In Dallas, Brad Townsend writes UT President Bill Powers' plan to hire a new AD before the end of the football season "signals significant change for perhaps the highest-profile, most stable athletic program of the past 15 years." But that is "only part of what makes this a defining moment for the university." It is "clear that Longhorn sports are on the precipice of a new era, but the spectrum of possibility ranges from transition to philosophical tweaks to upheaval." Powers said, "Anytime somebody comes in new, they bring fresh ideas. I think that’s healthy for an institution." He added that he "probably will form a group of advisers, consisting of alumni and Board of Regents athletic liaisons Steve Hicks and Robert Stillwell, to assist the AD search." Though Powers has "hiring authority as university president, he stressed that it will be a collaborative process" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 10/11).
