(03-20-2017 10:35 AM)JonesGoddard Wrote: Can we all sit back and reflect on how much more attractive this athletic program is? Lyke did an excellent job, which is why she is leaving. But, come on! Remember when she came in? She is leaving us in the one of the most healthy shapes you could. Now, watch us screw this one up.
Anyways, there's lot to like about coming to EMU now -- which is not a normal feeling for us. Can Crieghton be AD too?
My opinions:
The days of head coach and AD are long, long gone.
Running am athletic department is like running a small corporation. EMU has an athletic budget of around 30+M.
The legal, budget, compliance, facilities, fund raising, personnel, etc issues in running an athletic department are great. More and more ADs have law degrees, etc. They are no longer simply athletic people.
That said, I believe Spears knows EMU and played a big part of what we are seeing so hiring him would seem to be an excellent move.
Remember, in a lot of corporation, federal departments, etc. the #2 typically runs the day-by-day, not the CEO.
BTW, I draw the parallel to what we saw with Braun and Waters. Braun was the head coach, but Waters did the 'recruiting and relating.' An AD (e.g., at Kent) knew
what Waters did and was a head coach in waiting.