Cardinal Direction: Louisville's Tom Jurich Heads Ranking Of Top ADs

Louisville AD Tom Jurich has been named the nation's top AD by SPORTS ON EARTH's Matt Brown, who wrote Jurich has had "one of the most successful runs as an AD ever." Since taking his current post in '98, Jurich has led the school from C-USA to the Big East to the ACC. Rick Pitino has won a national title in men's basketball team since hired in '01, and the additions of Bobby Petrino, Charlie Strong and John L. Smith "have all worked out for the football team." Brown: "Under Jurich, Louisville has gone from FBS mid-major to respected ACC team in football, and the basketball has continued success in moving to a more powerful conference." The criteria used to determine the top 25 ADs included "success in all sports," but "particularly in the revenue sports of football and men's basketball." Also factored in were "avoiding scandals and NCAA issues, national respect (which can be illustrated in part by various national leadership positions), stability, how one handles being the face of an athletic department and keeping all parties -- athletes, coaches, boosters, fans, administrators -- happy" (SPORTSONEARTH.com, 10/1).