Minnesota In Final Stages Of AD Search, With Four Finalists Chosen

The Univ. of Minnesota AD search is in a "critical phase with interviews this week with finalists." Sources said that Northern Illinois AD Sean Frazier, Penn State Deputy AD Phil Esten, Minnesota interim AD Beth Goetz and a "previously unknown name are among the final candidates being interviewed by a five-member subcommittee that will send its recommendation" to UM President Eric Kaler. One source said that the fourth candidate "could be Miami (Ohio) AD David Sayler." A source indicated that the new AD could be chosen from that group "as early as next week, and an announcement could come in two weeks" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 5/11).

Meanwhile, a Univ. of Minnesota Board of Regents meeting tomorrow will cover an "internal audit" of the school's basketball teams, including "findings that Richard Pitino exceeded his private jet spending by nearly $200,000 in three seasons" as men's basketball coach (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 5/11).