New Missouri AD Mack Rhoades "earned a reputation as a consensus builder during the chaos of a conference realignment" and transformed the Univ. of Houston's athletic facilities the last five years "through fundraising acumen," according to a front-page piece by Tod Palmer of the K.C. STAR. UTEP AD Bob Stull said of Rhoades, "When you look at the up-and-coming guys that are out there, he’s probably the primo guy out of all of them." Rhoades "formally will be introduced" at a news conference today. UM System President Tim Wolfe "lauded Rhoades as 'a highly respected national leader.'" UH Associate VP & COO Hunter Yurachek said, "He’s got great vision and great passion for college athletics, but I think what makes him a great leader is how much he cares for people." Palmer notes Rhoades "helped lead Houston" from Conference USA into the American Athletic Conference. AAC Commissioner Mike Aresco said, "We had a lot to do, and Mack was instrumental in helping me navigate all of that" (K.C. STAR, 3/10). Palmer also writes under the header, "New Missouri AD Mack Rhoades Brings Reputation As 'Coach's AD'" (K.C. STAR, 3/10). Aresco yesterday said that he sent SEC Commissioner Mike Slive an e-mail, which read, "It’s bittersweet for me, but you’re getting a great AD." Outgoing MU AD Mike Alden said that he "met with Rhoades on Monday and plans to attend" today's news conference "at Rhoades’ request." In St. Louis, Dave Matter notes Alden "gave his successor a strong endorsement, calling him 'one of the best ADs in the country.'" Alden: "He’s unbelievably hard working. He’s focused. He’s a guy who has great speaking ability, great fundraising ability. ... He has an opportunity to take us to even greater heights as we go forward" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 3/10).
WHAT IT TAKES: In St. Louis, Bernie Miklasz writes college athletics in modern times "is a big business, and if you don’t win, and pull in truckloads of money, then you’ll get left behind." Rhoades "surely understands this," or he "wouldn’t be coming to Mizzou to jump into the competitive SEC jungle." Rhoades "can ask for donations with a fresh voice and a new handshake." He is MU Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin's "personal choice for the gig, and that should be of immense benefit to the new AD." The MU AD position -- "made stronger" by now-Oklahoma AD Joe Castiglione, then Alden -- "is a more attractive job than it used to be." With that "comes the responsibility of fixing the basketball program, enhancing the football program and getting more funds rolling in" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 3/10). In K.C. Vahe Gregorian writes how well Rhoades will fit at MU "has less to do with any specific tasks or philosophies right now than it does more elemental matters," such as his "accessibility and ability to cultivate relationships with all constituents, from boosters to colleagues to coaches and anyone else who touches the program." This "was always an odd gap in the game of Alden, who is perceived by many as too distant to truly engage" (K.C. STAR, 3/10).
COUGARS ON THE PROWL: In Houston, Joseph Duarte writes the next AD at UH "will walk into a far different situation than five years ago," as the school is "in far better shape" after Rhoades' tenure. UH President & Chancellor Renu Khator in a statement said that the school "will appoint a committee to conduct a national search" for a new AD. But Duarte notes the school "has not set a timetable for when it would like to fill the position." UH System Board of Regents Chair Tilman Fertitta said that while no parameters "have been set," UH "will likely target a candidate with experience" as an AD. Meanwhile, a source close to Rhoades said that he "only began looking at other jobs when issues surfaced regarding the completion of TDECU Stadium and tension began to build" with UH Exec VP/Administration & Finance Carl Carlucci, a "key aide" to Khator (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 3/10).
