Hobbs Introduced As New Rutgers AD, Says Hiring Football Coach No. 1 Priority

Rutgers yesterday ushered in a "new era" for the athletics department with the introduction of new AD Patrick Hobbs, who on Sunday was appointed as Julie Hermann's "permanent successor," according to a front-page piece by Keith Sargeant of the Newark STAR-LEDGER. Hobbs called his new post "a tremendous responsibility" and said he has "a lot of work to compete in the Big Ten." He said that finding a football coach "will be his first priority and fundraising for a facilities upgrade will be next on his agenda." He added that Rutgers "hired an outside consulting firm to assist with the search process" for a new coach. Hobbs "declined to say the company name." But he added his first day on the job included "spending a lot of time with them on the phone already." Hobbs noted that he "doesn't have a background overseeing an athletics department with football." However, he added he plans to work "as expeditiously as possible" to hire a football coach. Hobbs: "What we need to do is convince that the upside for our program is there, and it is there. There are not a lot of Big Ten jobs. So the opportunity to come and coach against some of the best in the country, people should be interested in that" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 12/1). In New Jersey, Pelzman & Brennan in a front-page piece write those who know him say Hobbs will have "no trepidation about making the final call" on hiring a football coach (Bergen RECORD, 12/1). In New Jersey, Ryan Dunleavy reports Hobbs and Rutgers President Robert Barchi originally met last week "to discuss his possible appointment on an interim basis." But Hobbs said, "The more we kept exploring it and what I thought about the opportunity and what he thought I might be able to do, it turned. Then it was, 'Would you do this?' And, 'Heck, yeah, I’ll do this. This is a great opportunity'" (ASBURY PARK PRESS, 12/1).

I'M A PEOPLE PERSON! The STAR-LEDGER's Sargeant notes Hobbs spent yesterday evening "greeting fans." Hobbs said that he will "ask fans for patience 'because our coaches are going to deserve that, particularly as we try to upgrade facilities and do the other things that are necessary'" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 12/1). The ASBURY PARK PRESS' Dunleavy reports during his intro presser, Hobbs "flashed some of the charisma that inspires confidence he will make the right call on the first major decision he faces." He also did not "shy away from mingling with fans" at last night's men's basketball game. Hobbs: "If you are going to have big-time athletics, you want to be out there, you want to be in the crowd, you want to see that they are excited about what you are doing" (ASBURY PARK PRESS, 12/1).

SEAL OF APPROVAL: In Newark, Claude Brodesser-Akner notes New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie praised Hobbs -- who previously worked for the governor as ombudsman -- as a "manager with 'great integrity' who can 'straighten out' the school's troubled sports program." But Christie said that he "didn't push for him to get the post." Christie: "I was told either late Saturday night or early Sunday, and they said, 'This is the way we're going ... whaddaya think?' But luckily, I agreed with it. I think it's a really good choice" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 12/1).

LOW BAR TO HURDLE? In New Jersey, Jerry Carino writes Hobbs "aced his first press conference, made the rounds among fans and mentioned facilities as a top priority." After two-plus years of Hermann, it is "nice for the state university to have an AD who is comfortable in the public eye" (ASBURY PARK PRESS, 12/1). In New Jersey, Pelzman & Brennan write Rutgers "can only hope Hobbs is the tonic for a program that has turned into a train wreck." Hermann often "was abrasive privately and rarely spoke to reporters" (Bergen RECORD, 12/1). Also in New Jersey, Stephen Edelson in a front-page piece notes Hermann and former football coach Kyle Flood had a "strained relationship behind the scenes." Hobbs "will have his leadership tested immediately, needing to strengthen the relationship with the university's academic side, unify his dysfunctional department and get the athletics financials in order" (ASBURY PARK PRESS, 12/1). A STAR-LEDGER editorial states it was time to "reverse course, given the importance of doing well in the Big Ten," and it was time to "find some leaders who are a little less embarrassing." Hobbs will have to do something "pretty cringe-worthy to top" Hermann, who "spent more time requiring damage control than being the public face of Rutgers athletics" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 12/1). 

GET YOUR WALLET OUT: In New Jersey, Patricia Alex in a front-page piece writes Rutgers "is poised to bump up spending by millions of dollars on athletics, a program already awash in red ink." That means "costly buyouts of the current sports leadership -- and the likely hiring of a considerably more expensive football coach and staff." Moves this week "indicate the university is ready to spend more to reorder its beleaguered football program." Meanwhile, some faculty members and students yesterday "questioned the speed with which Hobbs was picked to fill the athletic director opening, which was not advertised" (Bergen RECORD, 12/1).

WHAT ABOUT ROB? An ASBURY PARK PRESS editorial wonders what price Barchi pays "for the dysfunction that has permeated Rutgers athletics in recent years." Although Barchi "bears significant responsibility as well," he "talks like he's merely cleaning up the mess left by others." The editorial: "That’s a problem. And it’s a big concern moving forward as Rutgers continues to figure out how to compete in the Big Ten. ... Hobbs may well be the right person for the job. But what about Barchi?" (ASBURY PARK PRESS, 12/1).