Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley, Maryland Deputy AD Kelly Mehrtens and Central Michigan AD Dave Heeke are "no longer in the running" for the Illinois AD position, according to sources cited by Shannon Ryan of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. Sources said that it "leaves a list of candidates" that includes FAU AD Patrick Chun, Northern Illinois AD Sean Frazier, Eastern Illinois AD Tom Michael and Washington Univ. in St. Louis AD Josh Whitman (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 2/7). In Illinois, Jeff D'Alessio reported Tiley in an email refuted the report that he was "among seven UI athletic director candidates to be interviewed." He wrote, “I have not traveled to the U.S. and (am) not being interviewed." Tiley said that he was "concerned that his name had been 'thrown out there' as an applicant" for the job, which came open after Mike Thomas’ dismissal Nov. 9. He added, "I have not had any formal conversation with anyone at or representing the U of I” (Champaign NEWS-GAZETTE, 2/7).
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION: In Illinois, Julie Wurth notes Thomas got his "big payday" of $2.5M on Nov. 20 "just 11 days after being forced out." Since Thomas "wasn't fired for 'cause,' his contract called for any remaining salary and deferred compensation to be paid within 60 days." UI Associate Chancellor/Public Affairs Robin Kaler said that the time frame is a "standard provision in employment contracts." Thomas' payout included $2.1M for the salary "left on his contract, plus $400,000 in deferred compensation" (Champaign NEWS-GAZETTE, 2/5).
GOPHER IT ALREADY: In St. Paul, Marcus Fuller noted the Minnesota Board of Regents meeting this Thursday and Friday is a "key step in the process" to find the university's next AD. UM VP/HR Kathy Brown "will make recommendations" to school President Eric Kaler and the regents this week "regarding the use of a search firm, the size and composition of the search committee, and the interviewing and vetting process." UM Board of Regents Chair Dean Johnson "expects the university to hire a search firm again, but not the same one that recommended former AD Norwood Teague, who resigned amidst sexual harassment allegations" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 2/7).
