The unofficial online home for fans of the Western Michigan University Broncos. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

(11-04-2018 08:49 PM)broncofan1 Wrote:  

(11-04-2018 02:57 PM)BroncoPhilly Wrote:  

(11-04-2018 01:55 PM)broncofan1 Wrote:  

(11-04-2018 12:44 PM)Hoekjeness Wrote:  Personally I am a huge fan of Montgomery and trust him wholly. What I have learned is that he is a "students first" kinda guy, then numbers and budget next. I have a feeling he understands the impact athletics has on a university as a whole very well. But I think he's going to put a much larger concentration on students before anything else. Read into that what you may.

Make no mistake, he is a budget/numbers guy first and foremost. It's why he was brought in. The next decade of higher ed in Michigan will see a ton of changes, and he will lead the charge at WMU. Programs will be cut/modified. Tough choices will be made. He is an economist.

How that relates to athletics remains to be seen. He has shown already that if people aren't doing the job, he removes them.

Who did he remove? The one VP in charge of Marketing 'resigned' after confronted with Western's investigation results on the allegations against him. Hardly dynamic Leadership from the President. Unless I missed something the class is still out on President Montgomery.

That VP was given a choice - resign or get canned. Montgomery made it happen within 48 hours of learning the allegation. He flew back from vacation to meet him and take care of it. That's leadership. Resignation is preferred because legal doesn't have to get involved and it's over quickly.

He pushed out the old director of University Relations, and moved quick to create the VP of Marketing and Communication position. He also forced out the Provost (not uncommon for a new Pres to do), and pushed for quick resolution on the deans' search with HCOB. He has already told at least one other dean that they are not going to get their contract renewed. He's also in the middle of restructuring the entire University budget model. I'd say he's been busy, and showing good leadership.

Especially in comparison with his predecessor, Montgomery is wrangling the budget under control.

I was unaware of those actions, so I rescind my criticism of President Montgomery. Taking those actions into account, he does seem to be hitting the ground running. Good, we need it.