PiPress: U Grad and Mountain West commissioner 'open' to discussing AD job

[BleedGopher]

With Joel Maturi retiring as athletics director June 30, Thompson said his door is "open" to his alma mater for discussions about the opening.

"But there would be a million questions to learn more about the position," he said. "For example, is there a budget deficit? Is fundraising the issue? Is the focus on rebuilding the football program? Are there academic concerns? Is there a support system to graduate student-athletes? There would be a lot more to know about the needs and wants of the athletic department before you can even think about taking the next step."

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_19922468

Go Gophers!!

 

[matt]

Sounds like a solid candidate. He's been running the conference for 12 years now, so he definitely knows how an athletic department should work. A conference commissioner needs to have good vision for his conference as a whole, so he would probably have a good vision for the athletic department. He probably doesn't have too much experience fundraising though, so that would be my one concern - his personality and fundraising abilities.

 

[Prado89]

WAC Commissioner Craig Thompson

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_19922468
Any positive or Negative reaction. But I think it will be definitely interesting thing.

I mean MWC. Don't know how to edit Titile.

 

[highwayman]

Thompson, 55, has come a long way since he was a U journalism student and sports information department intern in the late 1970s. He went from working as an assistant sports information director at Kansas State out of college to Metro Conference communications director seven years later. He eventually became commissioner of the American South Conference (1987-91) and then the Sun Belt Conference (1991-98). He has been the Mountain West commissioner since the league's inception in 1999.

Thompson couldn't do much to stop the Mountain West from losing its strongest football programs, with Texas Christian joining the Big 12 this year and Boise State and San Diego State set to play football in the Big East in 2013. Good news might be coming, though, as the Mountain West and Conference USA reportedly are contemplating a merger.

I'll disagree whole-heartedly. I don't think he is a "solid" candidate in the least. Experience in the first paragraph is, at the best, weak for an AD. The craziness of the whole WAC/MWC fire drill since 1999 seals the deal. Not much power, not much influence.

Sorry, not for me.

 

[gophmeister]

How much fundraising would the head of a conference have done? I imagine he has connections here being from the state and running a 'mid-major' conference with all the difference sports and many of the same headaches could be considered a good background for an AD. Still the guy at Stoney Brook is odds on favorite right now in my opinion. Kaler judiciously said he would encourage his participation in the process. Until things really get going it's anyone's guess though. Definitely will be someone from the college ranks who is dedicated to winning football.

 

[GoAUpher]

I imagine he has connections here being from the state and running a 'mid-major' conference with all the difference sports and many of the same headaches could be considered a good background for an AD.

Except that he isn't responsible for any budget issues or fundraising for any of the sports he interacts with. The commish's job is TV deals, bowl tie ins, BCS access, etc.

 

[Too Long in the Wasteland]

I'll disagree whole-heartedly. I don't think he is a "solid" candidate in the least. Experience in the first paragraph is, at the best, weak for an AD. The craziness of the whole WAC/MWC fire drill since 1999 seals the deal. Not much power, not much influence.

Sorry, not for me.

I had the same initial reaction. If Thompson can't hold together a cheesy conference like the MWC, then I question his leadership skills, or if he's the guy to be sitting at the big boy table.

OTOH, it may not be fair to blame him for everything that went down, and a lot of this was outside his control. The B12 and Big east commish's haven't fared much better. And this guy is eminently MORE qualified to lead our athletic department than some guy with a ponytail who picks stocks on cable TV.

IMHO, the key criteria for an AD candidate:
1.Experience running a BCS conference football department
2.Proven track record of running a profitable & clean program.
3.Has to be someone who can get along with Kaler and all the key coaches
4.Demonstrated ability to develop winning teams (& pick coaches), particulalry in the big 3 sports.
5.Ties to Minnesota and or the U
6.Played sports at the U

You'll note these are in order. Thompson has at least 3 of these (if you equate running a conference with a single larger program). The other guy I mentioned gets two check marks at the bottom of the list. #3 would be hard to judge for either. The only candidate who can probably lay claim to that would be the AD at Stony Brook

 

[GoAUpher]

You'll note these are in order. Thompson has at least 3 of these (if you equate running a conference with a single larger program).

Which I'm not sure is doable given the differences in responsibilities Re: budgets.

 

[Goldmember]

Which I'm not sure is doable given the differences in responsibilities Re: budgets.

I would rather have a media visionary who is adept in the football arms race and the politics of athletics than a good accountant.

I would have an AD who finds a way to have every hockey, basketball and baseball game on live television (and make $ off of it) than a guy who can fundraise in downtown Minneapolis.

 

[GoAUpher]

I would rather have a media visionary who is adept in the football arms race and the politics of athletics than a good accountant.

I would have an AD who finds a way to have every hockey, basketball and baseball game on live television (and make $ off of it) than a guy who can fundraise in downtown Minneapolis.

Then this guy probably isn't the one you're looking for either. His vision took the conference's football games off ESPN on to a conference network that is buried in the highest cost tiers of almost every TV provider (except for DirecTV). Even as the top football teams in his conference became more relevant, they remained impossible to find on TV. Which is why all the top FB schools in his conference have left or are about to leave his conference.

And you hit on the other experience he lacks that will be vital to the Gophers. Fundraising.

As for every game of the Big 3 live on TV? They already are, minus the handful of non-con games for football that BTN sticks online (something no AD will be able to change on his own).

You are right, budgets aren't the #1 issue because you can hire people good with numbers to handle them. My point is that the new AD is going to face tough tasks in several areas. But the 2 most prevalent will likely be fundraising (as in: how to get a s**t ton more of it done ASAP) and budgets (as in: do non-revenue sports get cut to improve the overall health of the department). I'm not saying Craig Thompson can't handle the job. I'm simply saying there isn't a lot in the day to day operations of a "meh" sports conference that gives him direct experience with the primary issues facing the new AD at the U.

 

[Goldmember]

You are right, budgets aren't the #1 issue because you can hire people good with numbers to handle them. My point is that the new AD is going to face tough tasks in several areas. But the 2 most prevalent will likely be fundraising (as in: how to get a s**t ton more of it done ASAP) and budgets (as in: do non-revenue sports get cut to improve the overall health of the department).

We live in a Top 15 US media market with one of the largest concentrations of alumni anywhere in the world. What has happened to the University of Minnesota athletics as a brand over the last 10-30 years in this market is disgusting.

And it all happened because the University was focused on the wrong things. Paying some guy a mid-six-figure salary because he's a "good" fundraiser and budgeter would be continuing the walk into oblivion.

 

[matt]

http://collegefootball.about.com/od/collegefootballaz/g/glossary-craigthompson.htm

I don't understand the hate for the guy - he is certainly more qualified for the job than Najarian. The article above is a very brief synopsis of the MWC since Thompson took over. He has been the ONLY commissioner the conference has had and has served as commissioner for over a dozen years now, so he's obviously done something right and the universities appreciate the job he has done. He was able to get TCU and Boise State to join the conference which were good gets at the time. He has also had at least some role in the Conference USA-MWC merger/agreement (not sure if it was his idea or whose idea it was), so that shows at least some semblance of creativity and vision. I don't know too much about him other than this, but I'm sure President Kaler will acknowledge him as a strong candidate. I just don't understand why some on here are so down on him.

 

[highwayman]

http://collegefootball.about.com/od/collegefootballaz/g/glossary-craigthompson.htm

I don't understand the hate for the guy - he is certainly more qualified for the job than Najarian. The article above is a very brief synopsis of the MWC since Thompson took over. He has been the ONLY commissioner the conference has had and has served as commissioner for over a dozen years now, so he's obviously done something right and the universities appreciate the job he has done. He was able to get TCU and Boise State to join the conference which were good gets at the time. He has also had at least some role in the Conference USA-MWC merger/agreement (not sure if it was his idea or whose idea it was), so that shows at least some semblance of creativity and vision. I don't know too much about him other than this, but I'm sure President Kaler will acknowledge him as a strong candidate. I just don't understand why some on here are so down on him.

Because he is nothing more than a glorified PR guy. He has nearly NO qualifications to be an AD. The BSU and TCU "gets" were nothing more than "part 2" of the MWC-WAC pissing match that had been going on since the breakup of the original WAC. They would have joined if a monkey was the MWC Commissioner. As TLitW said:

1.Experience running a BCS conference football department
2.Proven track record of running a profitable & clean program.
3.Has to be someone who can get along with Kaler and all the key coaches
4.Demonstrated ability to develop winning teams (& pick coaches), particularly in the big 3 sports.
5.Ties to Minnesota and or the U
6.Played sports at the U

HE IS NOT REMOTELY QUALIFIED. We do not need an AD who needs OJT.

 

[GoAUpher]

We live in a Top 15 US media market with one of the largest concentrations of alumni anywhere in the world. What has happened to the University of Minnesota athletics as a brand over the last 10-30 years in this market is disgusting.

And it all happened because the University was focused on the wrong things. Paying some guy a mid-six-figure salary because he's a "good" fundraiser and budgeter would be continuing the walk into oblivion.

So, that's not what I think they need. You're pulling the "good" criteria out of the blue. I think they need a great fundraiser and someone who is ready and capable of making hard decisions in several areas including the budget. And I'm unsure how hiring a guy with no applicable experience to the position b/c he has ties to MN qualifies him. Nothing in his time as MWC commish suggests that he'd turn the Top 15 media market and large alum concentrations into anything worthwhile.

 

[station19]

As for every game of the Big 3 live on TV? They already are, minus the handful of non-con games for football that BTN sticks online (something no AD will be able to change on his own).

I assume you meant basketball?

 

[GoAUpher]

I assume you meant basketball?

I did. Good catch, thanks!

 

[Goldmember]

You're pulling the "good" criteria out of the blue. I think they need a great fundraiser and someone who is ready and capable of making hard decisions in several areas including the budget.

While the U has been lacking vision and strategy, and running its AD like a charity organization, they have been attacked by all sides. The U has lost significant ground in marketing, PR and media coverage over the years -- and the bleeding continues. More panhandling and bean counting while Rome burns is not what Gopher Athletics needs.

I'm not saying that Thompson is a "solid" candidate for AD. But he is absolutely someone that I would like to see working for the U. He is very experienced in the areas where the UofM has been horrifyingly inadequate for decades.

The asessment of his accomplsihments by some on this thread are a little bewildering and lacking honesty. The MWC accomplished a lot for its member schools in a nearly impossible environment. The "pissing contest" with the WAC was the successful implementation of a plan that saved football for several schools (something that unequivocally has to be done here, and with which all the fundraising and budgeting skills in the universe will be worthless).

Again... I'm not sure he's the best AD candidate. But the "one of us" bias does not apply to Thompson. Conversely, it applies to cutting an undeserving half-million dollar annual check to someone who has "connections with downtown Minneapolis" to the people with "deep pockets", when this same person will have no clue in 10-years why baseball is suddenly on the chopping-block (despite the new baseball stadium he was able to build on the site of the old baseball stadium) and why U-alumni are more interested in the Minnesota Rollergirls and Minnesota Swarm.

 

[BleedGopher]

Reusse tweet: "Strong contender for Gophers AD job: Craig Thompson, commissioner of Mountain West Conf. U of M grad; long resume in college sports."

Go Gophers!!

 

[goldengophers]

Isn't ISU guy the front runner?

Edit: Maybe not? Didn't realize ISU guy was a Sconnie, not a problem for me but many do see it as one.

 

[GoAUpher]

Isn't ISU guy the front runner?

Edit: Maybe not? Didn't realize ISU guy was a Sconnie, not a problem for me but many do see it as one.

To my knowledge, no "front runners" have been identified. Just a bunch of names being tossed at a wall right now.

 

[Dr.Don]

To my knowledge, no "front runners" have been identified. Just a bunch of names being tossed at a wall right now.

Oh yes there have. If a GopherHoler drops a name, that name becomes the "front runner" to the GH'er.

 

[Goldmember]

As for every game of the Big 3 live on TV? They already are, minus the handful of non-con games for football that BTN sticks online (something no AD will be able to change on his own).

WIAC basketball is on FSN right now. Gopher Hockey (playing in semifinal of the national tournamant) is on FSN "Plus". Gopher Hockey used to be the hottest sports media property in this market on free television. Formerly, often #1 in its time slot. Presently, not able to be viewed in most households in this market, and even fewer outstate.

The AD's office is responsible for negotiation of OOC football game agreements. Ultimately, if the game isn't on ESPN 1, ESPN 2, Network Television, or the BTN (or an equivalent) it is a failure of the AD.

Also, baseball is becoming a revenue sport at a lot of institutions. If the U can't move towards converting baseball to a revenue sport, they will need to drop the program in the future. That's where the bar will be set in the future. No sense in planning for failure.

 

[highwayman]

WIAC basketball is on FSN right now. Gopher Hockey (playing in semifinal of the national tournamant) is on FSN "Plus". Gopher Hockey used to be the hottest sports media property in this market on free television. Formerly, often #1 in its time slot. Presently, not able to be viewed in most households in this market, and even fewer outstate.

The AD's office is responsible for negotiation of OOC football game agreements. Ultimately, if the game isn't on ESPN 1, ESPN 2, Network Television, or the BTN (or an equivalent) it is a failure of the AD.

Also, baseball is becoming a revenue sport at a lot of institutions. If the U can't move towards converting baseball to a revenue sport, they will need to drop the program in the future. That's where the bar will be set in the future. No sense in planning for failure.

Um, slow down, Pepper. The Wild game starts at 6:00, and they had to move it to an alternate channel in it's entirety. Gophers are 4th in the contract lineage. If you have FSN, you have FSN Plus. It's the "alternate channel". It's no different than the regular season.

Oh, and the NCCA chooses network coverage on play-off games. Breathe deep, dude, pick another one to rant on.

 

[Goldmember]

Um, slow down, Pepper. The Wild game starts at 6:00, and they had to move it to an alternate channel in it's entirety. Gophers are 4th in the contract lineage. If you have FSN, you have FSN Plus. It's the "alternate channel". It's no different than the regular season.

Oh, and the NCCA chooses network coverage on play-off games. Breathe deep, dude, pick another one to rant on.

Fourth. Brilliant.

 

[highwayman]

Fourth. Brilliant.

That's the AD's fault? Even when they were completely crap, the T-Wolves brought in more commercial revenue. The typical Gopher hockey booster's (yes, I'm a big one) provincialism is stunning.

There are not as many Gopher hockey fans as you think. We have 5 DI programs in the state, and they take away a lot of fans. A St. Cloud fan doesn't suddenly shift allegiance when the Huskies are knocked out...

Also, the Gophers could play the Wild 100 times, and the Wild would win 100 times. There are still far more Wild fans than Gopher fans. As a TV commercial draw, the Gophers are 4th in ratings all the time. It is what it is.

 

[Uffda]

So, that's not what I think they need. You're pulling the "good" criteria out of the blue. I think they need a great fundraiser and someone who is ready and capable of making hard decisions in several areas including the budget. And I'm unsure how hiring a guy with no applicable experience to the position b/c he has ties to MN qualifies him. Nothing in his time as MWC commish suggests that he'd turn the Top 15 media market and large alum concentrations into anything worthwhile.

I agree with this assessment. I believe that the AD candidate who really should be considered is Trev Alberts , current AD at Nebraska-Omaha.
Trev made bold and creative decisions by Dropping Division 2 football and wrestling in order to push more realistic, attainable Division 1 programs in hockey and basketball.
By dropping those he was able to save on scholarships on not only those sports but Title 9 scholarships as well. The Cornhusker Football has all of the interest in the whole state so that is why they were not able to spark any interest in Div. 2 program.
He is a football guy, All America defensive player at Nebraska who won both Butkus Award and Outland Trophy, academic All America, 3rd pick in NFL draft in 1st round, ESPN college football commentator.
I believe he would be a very good fundraiser here. He knows what a top football program. He can come here as an objective outsider and get the top money making sports on course to be very competitive in the Big Ten for years to come.

 

[highwayman]

blah, blah, blah

So, ya couldn't get any traction with your last thread on this football-program-dropping AD, which degraded into a wren-fest discussing Matt Millen and Hitler. Don't bring this guy up again.

 

[Uffda]

So, ya couldn't get any traction with your last thread on this football-program-dropping AD, which degraded into a wren-fest discussing Matt Millen and Hitler. Don't bring this guy up again.

I do believe your title that you are "Long Suffering". I never compared anyone to Hitler. Only one other poster had the courage to challenge the idiotic post who did that. You declined to comment. Does that mean you agreed with that comparison?
In this thread other posts mentioned their favorite candidates. Why can't I express mine? I sincerely believe Alberts has some really great qualities and can be very effective as AD here.
Don't try to bully me into silence and conformity to who you who and what you want. Who made you "spokesman fo Gopherhole"?
Maybe you and your bullying tactics should be the "Highwayman" and move on down the the highway.

 

[GoAUpher]

I never compared anyone to Hitler. Only one other poster had the courage to challenge the idiotic post who did that. You declined to comment. Does that mean you agreed with that comparison?

He didn't say you did. And "courage" to challenge a ridiculous Godwin winner? It's not courageous to point out pure idiocy and fallacy on an anonymous message board. No lives are being saved.

And while I completely disagree with you on Alberts (like, SERIOUSLY disagree. The man is classless in the extreme based on how he handled the wrestling team) you're right in that it's completely ok to bring up your favorites. I just wouldn't expect to see his name greeted with excitement this time either.