Florida yesterday officially introduced Scott Stricklin as its new AD, and he "laid out his vision for the future of the Florida athletic department," according to Kevin Brockway of the GAINESVILLE SUN. UF President Kent Fuchs said that Stricklin "fit all the criteria that the school was looking for, including his experience in the SEC and his experience fundraising." Stricklin, who will begin his duties Nov. 1, "received a six-year deal worth an average annual salary" of $1.076M that could increase to $1.276M with performance bonuses. He was "first contacted about the Florida opening in June, and said negotiations intensified last month." Stricklin said that he "had no trepidation" about taking over for outgoing AD Jeremy Foley, who in 25 years "enhanced the Gators as a national brand." Stricklin said that he "intends to use Foley, who will be down the hall as athletic director emeritus, as a resource." Stricklin is a "new-age AD with a media relations and fundraising background and a Twitter following of more than 55,000." As AD at Mississippi State since '10, Stricklin "regularly engaged with fans and coaches on social media." Stricklin said that he "plans to continue that trend." Stricklin’s initial big task will come in "overseeing fundraising" for UF’s $100M master plan "in facilities improvements for football, baseball and softball." The plan "includes building a stand-alone facility for football, expanded seating and locker room space at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium for softball and shaded canopies and expanded locker rooms at McKethan Stadium for baseball" (GAINESVILLE SUN, 9/28). In Jacksonville, Garry Smits notes Stricklin oversaw more than $140M "in facilities upgrades" at MSU, and his "success as a fundraiser was a strong point in his favor" (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 9/28).
THE RIGHT STUFF: In Tampa, Matt Baker reports UF "chose Stricklin out of a group of 22 viable candidates that search committee chair Manny Fernandez said was 'highly diverse' in gender and ethnicity." The three-month process "centered only on sitting athletic directors from major conferences." Six candidates "received in-person visits, and two finalists personally met" with Fuchs (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 9/28). Stricklin called the decision to leave MSU for UF "very challenging." But he said that the chance to lead UF's athletics department "was an opportunity -- the only opportunity -- he could not turn down." He said, "It’s the best job in college athletics" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 9/28). In Gainesville, Pat Dooley writes Stricklin was exactly what Foley "would be looking for" in his successor -- "young and energetic, organized and personable." UF made "a home-run hire." Dooley: "You’re going to enjoy your new athletic director" (GAINESVILLE SUN, 9/28). USA Today's Dan Wolken tweeted, "Florida fans will really like Scott Stricklin. He’ll move that department forward. I also think Mississippi St is in great shape." The Tampa Bay Times' Baker: "Foley built #Gators into a national power. Scott Stricklin's job is to keep them there - and elevate more." ESPN's Travis Haney: "I genuinely like Scott Stricklin. It's a solid hire for UF. But I can't be only one who cannot shake how poorly he handled Simmons matter" (TWITTER.com, 9/28).
LOOKING WITHIN: MSU yesterday announced that it would "launch a nationwide search" for Stricklin's successor. But in Mississippi, Michael Bonner cites sources as saying that a national search "may not be needed." In the week that transpired since Stricklin was offered the UF job, "movement occurred within the athletic department to provide an in-house option." That is "important because Mississippi State’s last three athletic directors -- dating back 30 years -- have been promoted from within." Sources said that the "lead internal candidate appears to be baseball coach John Cohen." Stricklin "extended Cohen’s contract in July and included a new title" of Associate AD. Another "in-house candidate" would be MSU Senior Associate AD/External Affairs Scott Wetherbee. Wetherbee has a "strong relationship with adidas as well as the Bulldog Club, SEC Network and the marketing offices." Sources also mentioned Georgia Tech Senior Associate AD/Operations John David Wicker and Texas A&M Senior Associate AD/External Affairs Jason Cook "as possible candidates" because of ties to MSU (Jackson CLARION-LEDGER, 9/28).
