Oregon State AD Bob De Carolis "is stepping down" June 30 after 17 years at the school, including the last 13 as AD, according to the Corvallis GAZETTE-TIMES. But he "made it clear" in a statement that he is not retiring. A school official said that "health reasons -- De Carolis was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2011, just after he signed a five-year contract extension -- were not a factor in his decision." During his time at OSU, De Carolis has "helped to oversee the completion" of more than $180M in improvements to athletic facilities across campus, including the eastside expansion of Reser Stadium. Just this past December, OSU announced a $42M "expansion of the Valley Football Center within Reser Stadium." De Carolis has "missed on a few coaching hires." But he said that he "feels the programs across the board are set up for success." OSU President Ed Ray yesterday said that he will "use an advisory group of alumni and leaders to begin a search for De Carolis’ successor." He will "name an interim director if the search extends beyond June 30" (Corvallis GAZETTE-TIMES, 5/12). In Portland, Connor Letourneau notes June 30 is "exactly one year before" De Carolis' contract was set to expire. A source said that De Carolis going forward "may pursue consulting or a position in athletic administration at another university." De Carolis "earned the nickname 'Bob the Builder' from colleagues for his ongoing renovation efforts" (Portland OREGONIAN, 5/12).
MIKE CHECK: In San Jose, Jon Wilner offered his thoughts on new Cal AD Mike Williams, including that it "continues to be my firm belief that Williams was the guy all along, despite what chancellor Nicholas Dirks says publicly to the contrary." Wilner: "I believe he ... always saw Williams as the long-term answer -- once Williams made it clear he wanted the job, of course -- and that the 'search' for the best candidate would have only one outcome regardless of the candidate field or search committee recommendation." While it is "true that a bevy of Pac-12 athletic directors appointed in recent years have non-traditional backgrounds ... Williams is, by far, the most unconventional hire." Not only does he "come from outside college athletics, he comes from outside any athletics." But that "outlier position is countered, to a certain degree, by his familiarity with Cal" (MERCURYNEWS.com, 5/11).
