Cougars' AD search could get interesting

Every college athletic director has a list.

Most keep it hidden in a desk drawer or filed away in an obscure computer file. But they all have a list of candidates should one of their top coaches suddenly need replacing.

It's considered standard operating procedure in a business where people come and go because they overachieved or underachieved.

But, apparently, no such replacement list exists as the College of Charleston finds itself looking for an athletic director.

When Jerry Baker announced last month he was resigning as the school's AD after a 15-year stint, it was perhaps the worst kept secret in town.

Even those loosely associated with the school had heard a year ago that Baker would be the next to depart in a series of changes deemed necessary to upgrade the athletic department that has grown in leaps and bounds during his tenure.

When Baker officially steps down June 30th, the search for his replacement could be one of the most interesting adventures the school has ever witnessed.

Athletic infrastructure

Some obvious weaknesses in the school's athletic infrastructure were revealed five years ago when then-president Lee Higdon hand-picked Tom Herrion to replace longtime basketball coach and living legend John Kresse.

Up until then, the College of Charleston enjoyed a big-time reputation on a small-time budget in a mom-and-pop athletic department that was run like a nickel-and-dime business.

Herrion proved a bad choice that cost the school almost a million bucks to remedy. Then the real problems began.

Suffice it to say the coaching search that followed was a soap opera. They hired then-Winthrop-coach Gregg Marshall who immediately changed his mind and sent the College into a head-spinning tizzy.

The Cougars' program landed on its feet when retired Georgia Tech coach Bobby Cremins came out of nowhere to take the job.

On the surface, it looked seamless.

In reality, the College just got lucky.

In the aftermath, those in charge realized that it was finally time for the College of Charleston to enter the modern era as far as facilities, fundraising and leadership.

Treading lightly

Given all those facts, it would seem the College would have a credible candidate ready to take over the athletic department and move it forward the day after Baker's going-away party.

With a new basketball arena under construction and a push under way to raise the caliber of the athletic department across the board, time, as they say, is a-wasting.

But that's not happening.

Bobby Marlowe, chairman of the school's board of trustees, said in an interview last week, "We've been waiting, frankly, until the official word came from Jerry. We did know (about his departure), but it would have been very improper to do anything formally until we received the final word."

Only in Charleston, it appears, do we tread so lightly on people's feelings. Anywhere else, Baker's replacement would have been waiting impatiently in the wings.

So be it. But that means the process of putting someone in place is going to take a while.

Another reason for the delay, Marlowe said, is the school's new president, George Benson, just took office in February and has many other things on his agenda to deal with.

"We're in the very, very early stages," Marlowe said of the AD search. "We haven't even decided on the exact approach. We haven't decided whether or not to identify someone or wait for the applications to come in."

Important hire

Either way, this is going to be one of the most interesting and important hires in the history of the College of Charleston.

Faculty types, of course, might argue otherwise. No way sports should command such importance at a school with a 200-year history of academics.

But the modern reality is that sports are the front porch of every school that dribbles or kicks a ball and brings untold attention that the institution could not otherwise imagine or afford.

Cougars basketball is the biggest flag flying from that porch, but all sports are in critical stages of need.

"This is a very important hire for the College and the community," Marlowe said. "From a lot of perspectives, we need to make sure we get the right person."

Already, some high-powered prospects are putting out feelers. This is the kind of job seasoned professionals at bigger schools might consider because of what and where it is.

"We expect a great deal of interest," Marlowe said in an understatement.

Buzz has started

Les Robinson is the perfect example of what could happen at the College of Charleston.

Having been in the big time as coach and AD at N.C. State, Robinson was happy to step down the athletic ladder to head the program at The Citadel because he already owned a beach house on Sullivan's Island.

Not only has he used his national contacts to build the Bulldog program, he's concluding his career in his retirement home.

The buzz about the Charleston job, therefore, has already started.

"I just got back from the national athletic director's meeting and a lot of people were asking about that job," Robinson said in an interview Friday. "It's a quality school and I think it's a great opportunity for someone. The table is set pretty well. It's a good job from an athletic director's standpoint."

So, don't be surprised if the list of candidates for this position gets real interesting. It could be the best job available in the country right now.

But regardless of who or how or when the College of Charleston hires its new athletic director, that person is sure to be a major force as the Cougars transition from a penny-ante program into a fully-funded member of the future.

Reach Ken Burger at 937-5598 or kburger@postandcourier.com.

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