University of Minnesota Announces Plans for Athletics Director Search

University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler has announced the launch of the search for the University’s next Gopher Athletics Director.

The search plan was developed following recommendations from an independent external review of Gopher Athletics in December 2015, as well as recommendations from Vice President for Human Resources Kathryn Brown, who met with members of the Board of Regents’ Audit and Compliance Committee Thursday to discuss her recommendations.

“This is an extremely important hire for the future of Gopher Athletics and its 25 programs and 720 student-athletes,” said Kaler. “This athletics director will provide strong leadership to our coaches, staff and student-athletes; forge relationships with thousands of donors, fans and the public; successfully complete the campaign for the Athletes Village; and drive Gopher Athletics’ academic and competitive success, both now and into the future. I’d like to thank Vice President Brown, members of the Board and everyone who provided insight into our hiring plan for Minnesota’s next athletics director."

The search will begin immediately, with the University assembling a search committee to assist Kaler in the process. Members of the University community and the broader public may nominate committee members by going to the Gopher Athletics Directors search page. Kaler said he will appoint a strong and diverse committee comprised of about 10 members representing various stakeholders and perspectives in Gopher Athletics and the University.

“We need a committee that is small enough to be nimble and discreet with confidential information throughout the process, but also big enough to represent our many constituencies,” Kaler explained. “Committee members must also embrace the University’s commitment to both academic and competitive success in Gopher Athletics.”

The University will seek proposals from independent consultants to support the search. The firm will help the University identify a strong and diverse pool of candidates, ensure confidentiality in the process, and provide capacity for coordinating the search process. The University and the search committee will ultimately be responsible for thoroughly managing the details of the search and driving it forward to a final hiring decision by Kaler.                        

Kaler expects to name a search firm and the search committee in early March, with finalist(s) identified by late spring.