A marathon day of interviewing candidates for the LSU athletic director position has now concluded at the Paul M. Hebert Law Center.
The athletic director search committee invited six candidates to interview to replace outgoing Athletic Director Skip Bertman.
The committee is now in executive session to discuss the candidates’ character and competence. When the committee members emerge, they are expected to recommend two or three candidates to Chancellor William Jenkins.
The committee interviewed the following candidates: Verge Ausberry, LSU senior associate athletic director; Craig Angelos, Florida Atlantic athletic director; Herb Vincent, LSU senior associate athletic director; Joe Alleva, Duke athletic director; Rob Mullens, Kentucky deputy athletic director; and Dave Hart, former Florida State athletic director.
Ausberry, the first to interview, wasted no time emphasizing his extensive knowledge of LSU gained from athletic and administrative experience at the University. Ausberry suggested a reformed athletic attendance policy with heightened consequences for athletes who miss class.
“I can hit the ground running,” Ausberry said. “I know what it takes.”
Ausberry stressed academic integrity and highlighted his experience as an academic adviser for athletes.
Ausberry also addressed the potential challenges of working near Bertman, who will remain at the University in an emeritus position.
“I will be the person making the decisions,” he said. “The buck will stop with me and me only.”
Angelos, Florida Atlantic athletic director, interviewed after Ausberry. Angelos also worked in athletic administrative positions at Indiana University and the University of Miami and played baseball as a student athlete at Brigham Young University.
Angelos spoke about his experience overseeing Florida Atlantic’s transition to Division 1-A. He also spoke about the importance of academic integrity.
“I’m totally about winning, but not about winning at all costs,” Angelos said.
Vincent, LSU senior associate athletic director, was the third candidate to interview. Vincent began at LSU in 1988 in the sports information department and has since held various communications-related positions.
Vincent said his strengths are bringing co-workers together and “rallying people.”
Vincent said his calm demeanor would be beneficial when managing the “craziness” of an athletic department.
“I’m not really loud, and I’m not going to be loud,” Vincent said. “I’m well-grounded, and I have common sense.”
Alleva, Duke athletic director, interviewed after Vincent. Alleva has been at Duke for 31 years and has held his current post for 10 years.
Several committee members asked Alleva questions related to Duke’s 2006 lacrosse team scandal, in which three Duke lacrosse players were accused of sexual offenses against an exotic dancer.
“It was a very, very difficult situation,” Alleva said. “I’m a much better athletic director now than I was prior to that situation.”
Alleva said if he were hired, he would first interview everyone in the LSU athletic department to hear their ideas or concerns. Alleva said he envisions LSU winning national championships in all 20 sports.
“I’m a really good listener,” he said. “I really care about my people, from coaches, to secretaries, and the laundry guys. I think if you called any of my employees, they’d tell you that.”
Mullens, Kentucky deputy athletic director, was the fifth candidate interviewed. Mullens previously held athletic administrative positions at Maryland and the University of Miami.
Mullens said he would be a “hands-on” athletic director who aimed to develop relationships with coaches and athletes.
He also stressed the importance of supporting lower profile sports.
“The swimmer who gets up at 6:00 each morning and gets in the pool has just as much of a right to a national championship as any other athlete,” he said. “Everyone should be able to compete at the highest level.”
Mullens said NCAA compliance would be a top priority.
“Compliance isn’t just an office, ” he said. “It’s a culture. It’s a commitment.”
Hart, former Florida State athletic director, was the final candidate to interview with the committee. Hart left his post in October 2007 after Florida State President T.K. Wetherell informed Hart his contract would not be renewed.
Hart denied his departure was related to the recent academic scandal in which 60 Florida State athletes were linked to academic fraud related to online testing.
“I wanted to leave with class,” he said. “If I become the director of athletics at LSU, what you see and what you hear is what you get.”
Hart said working with Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden was one of the highlights of his 12-year Florida State experience.
“When you surround yourself with people with good core values, you’ve hit a grand slam,” he said.
—-Contact Amy Brittain at [email protected].