i have made no comment for or against anybody for the AD's job. The comment you quoted was in response to Mr. Brill's comment "I was told at the football scrimmage yesterday that a prominent group of football alums are supporting leo's candidacy. I suspect they are all major contributors."
It was the inference that someone should get consideration because a bunch of major contributors suppoprt them.
Everything I've read about him has made me think that he may be the best man for the job. Then a ran across these comments that concern me. Taken from an N&O article May 16, 2008
Not an enthusiastic "yes i want it" but a very guarded "If they want me I'll serve because i owe them.""I am certainly interested in what is best for Duke," said Hart, 59, in a news conference of inductees at the North Carolina Museum of History.
"Duke has been near and dear to my heart forever. It gave me a foundation after I left Kinston. If there were ways I could help Duke, certainly I'd be interested, and I'd be honored to do so."
Just spoke with Richard Riddell, vice chair of the committee, and while he understandably couldn't give names of candidates, he did have some interesting things to say. Check it out at The Chronicle's Sports Blog, dukechroniclesports.com.
Riddell's comments about Duke being so special that only a few people can be considered are about what I expected. The holier than thou attitude needs to take a backseat. Hire a good candidate. There's no need to get into a self indugent lovefest.
Post of the month. Duke fans/coaches/administrators wonder why so many absolutely despise us...this is the attitude that brings it on. Not just the fact we're good. Some in charge need to realize they had nothing to do with Duke being the place it is...their job is to not screw it up.
Word on the street says we should have an answer early June.
Might be quicker than that. N&O reporting that Duke expects to hire Kevin White, Notre Dame's athletic director. Yesterday, the vice chair of the search committee told The Chronicle that the committee expected to provide recommendations to President Richard Brodhead "early in the summer, in June I would say." When talking about the value of an internal candidate, he did mention some other schools with the same ideals, including Notre Dame. The Chronicle's Sports Blog will try to get confirmation and keep everyone updated on the paper's main page and on the blog.
Let's be honest. He's done a mediocre job, at best, with Notre dame football. Doesn't mean it's his fault, just don't see him as some sort of savior. I do respect Notre Dame's overall athletic program and their academic standards where it comes to athletes. Lastly, Mike Brey as our next basketball head coach? Wouldn't surprise me.
If you knew anything about Notre Dame football, fans are very pleased with the Weis hiring. Recruiting hasn't been this strong since Lou Holtz' early years. They couldn't stand Davie's ineptitude or Willingham's laziness.
ND fans criticize White for poor negotiating (taking far less BCS money for a modest guarantee in years where they don't reach the BCS), future barnstorming (viewed as selling out the ND brand in the name of gate receipts), upcoming football schedule (severely weakened through 2016), and
extraordinarily slow building (Brey has been dealing with the inadequate JACC for years...even after Phil Purcell donated a substantial amount to his alma mater in order to renovate the basketball facility). These are some of the reasons that ND fans are rejoicing.
In fairness to White, the Duke job should be substantially easier. As the AD at ND, one has to operate as a "commisioner of one." He won't have to negotiate directly with networks or have to deal nearly as extensively with the politically difficult world of out of conference football scheduling, let alone at a football power (although, theoretically, Cutcliffe will be able to change the culture). Being part of a BCS conference should make his life easier and allow him to concentrate more fully on being a fundraiser. At this point in his life, he should be able to deal with any difficulty that may arise during his time at Duke.
This is a solid hire.
Isn't he the guy that hired George O'Leary?
Full story of White's introductory press conference up on The Chronicle, plus a live blog, constant updates and some photos of White and Brodhead on The Chronicle's Sports Blog, dukechroniclesports.com.
That's what *I* was also about to say.
O'Leary, Weis...yeah, this guy has a GREAT track record.
Also, let's not talk about the implications of moving from a very religious-oriented Catholic university to a traditional-Methodist but now super-liberal university. Stuff like that is in the 'intangibles' bracket, but adds up.
I can't get behind this up-front.