C of C looks to Daniels

Fred Daniels, the College of Charleston's senior vice president for administration, will serve as interim athletics director effective July 1, and will be in charge of conducting the search to replace outgoing athletics director Jerry Baker.

No official announcement was made by the school, but Tony Ciuffo, the school's assistant athletics director for media relations, confirmed Monday that Daniels would take over for Baker and lead the search for Baker's replacement.

"I would expect an official announcement will be made sometime soon," Ciuffo said. "There's no timetable on the search. We just want to make sure we find the right candidate for the position."

Charleston president P. George Benson announced Daniels' appointment in an e-mail sent out to select members of the school's administration on Monday.

"Fred Daniels will report to me and coordinate the search for a new AD," Benson said in the e-mail. "I greatly appreciate his willingness to take on this important role."

The e-mail said the appointment of Daniels was phase one of a series of organizational changes that would take place over the next several months in the school's administration as well as that of the athletics department.

Benson and Daniels were unavailable for comment.

Daniels has been employed by the College of Charleston since 1967, and has served in a variety of capacities, including Dean of Admissions and as head basketball coach for two seasons.

Baker, who announced his resignation on May 29 citing a desire to pursue other opportunities, will serve as athletics director through the end of June.

A 1974 graduate of the College of Charleston, Baker has directed the Cougars athletic program for the last 15 years.

The Charleston native helped lead the Cougars' transition from the NAIA to NCAA Division I and oversaw a budget of less than $1 million in 1992 to a current budget of more than $8 million.

Baker also has had an impact on improving Charleston's facilities, including the Cougars' $45 million basketball facility under construction and the renovations to the Patriots Point athletics complex.

Under Baker's guidance, the Cougars moved from the Trans America Conference to the Southern Conference.

Reach Charles Bennett at cbennett@postandcourier.com.