Despite serving in a high-profile role with exec search firm Korn Ferry, Vice Chair JED HUGHES "manages to stay out of the limelight," as "brokering deals is what he's all about," according to a profile by Barry Wilner of the AP. Hughes "marries teams and organizations with candidates who fit a certain profile." Those groups have "ranged from NFL clubs -- six current head coaches got their jobs with the aid of Hughes' placement company" -- to the NBA, college, MLB and the USOC. Hughes: "It has to be the right culture fit. You have to make the chemistry work." But how does Korn Ferry "determine which candidates might possess that fit?" The firm "puts together alignment sheets and an assortment of questionnaires and specs -- some look as lengthy as a game plan -- that reference the qualities the team or organization want, and the qualities the candidates bring." Hughes said that it "doesn't hurt" that he has "long-standing friendships and bonds with so many people." When the Browns began searching for a new GM, Hughes "not only had a relationship" with JOHN DORSEY, but "recognized the skills Dorsey showed" during his time as Chiefs GM. That included "solid draft picks, salary cap management" -- skills that were "what Cleveland's owners sought most." Hughes "will not take on more than one client at a time in a specific sport because of the competitiveness of the hiring process." But the list of clients throughout the sports world "indicates how busy he has been." Among his recent placements have been Texas men's basketball coach SHAKA SMART, Syracuse AD JOHN WILDHACK, Georgetown men's basketball coach PATRICK EWING, Pac-12 Commissioner LARRY SCOTT, SEC Commissioner GREG SANKEY and Big 12 Commissioner BOB BOWLSBY (AP, 12/27).
