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University Of Michigan Launches Nationwide Search For Next Athletic Director

ANN ARBORN (WWJ) - The University of Michigan is launching a national search to find its next athletic director.

U-M president Mark Schlissel made the announcement Wednesday morning, saying he will chair the search advisory committee. The university also hired Turnkey Search, a subsidiary of Turnkey Sports and Entertainment, to assist with the search.

"I will take as long as necessary to make sure it is a great fit for what I think is the best opportunity for an athletic director in the country," Schlissel said in a statement.

Jim Hackett has been serving as interim athletic director for a little over a year, and plans to stay on board until a successor has been hired.

"Jim Hackett has been an exceptional interim AD," Schlissel said. "I could not have asked for more from a leader. He stepped up at a moment of need and has served the institution with great distinction."

The athletic director reports directly to Schlissel and serves as a member of the university's executive leadership team. Two potential candidates are Boston College athletic director Brad Bates, and Jeff Long, an Ann Arbor native who chairs the college football playoff committee.

The school said the ideal athletic director would have:

• The highest levels of personal and professional integrity and trustworthiness.

• A strong commitment to the health, safety, personal development and academic success of the university's 900 student athletes.

• Commitment to developing competitive men's and women's sports teams that have the opportunity to compete each year for Big Ten and other championships.

• Demonstrated experience and a strong personal commitment to advancing all aspects of diversity, equity and inclusion.

• Knowledge of intercollegiate athletics administration, skill in fiscal management and insight into the challenges and opportunities of Division I athletics in an academic research setting.

The school is paying Turnkey Search $150,000 plus expenses for their services.

U-M has 31 teams and more than 900 student athletes.

 

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