Korn Ferry Vice Chair JED HUGHES appeared on this week’s edition of the FOXSPORTS.com podcast “The Audible” to discuss being a headhunter for coaches. He said what his group does is “very different than what anybody else does in the business.” Hughes said Korn Ferry will “only take on one search at a time, so we’re never competing for the talent pool.” Hughes: “Other firms will have multiple searches going on. We will not do that. We will focus all our attention on who that client is and give them that type of concierge type service." Korn Ferry in recent years has helped with high-profile college football moves including Michigan hiring JIM HARBAUGH and Texas signing CHARLIE STRONG. Hughes said in terms of keeping the search private and not having information leak during the process, “You kind of keep your head down. Run a tight process and you try to do the things necessary to keep it contained. But those things have a life of their own.” The podcast was taped prior to MLB Commissioner ROB MANFRED announcing the league is ending its association with Korn Ferry, but Hughes did note the firm had a role in MLB’s commissioner search prior to Manfred getting the job to succeed BUD SELIG. Hughes: “Quotes were coming out of the owners’ meetings faster than they were getting to the table. Those things happen and you have to be able to work through them” (“The Audible,” FOXSPORTS.com, 11/16).
