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A qualified candidate may be here in Akron
By Patrick McManamon
Beacon Journal sports columnist
Published on Tuesday, Jun 16, 2009
There are many reasons to admire The Wizard of Oz.
The scarecrow, the flying monkeys, ''I'm melting. . . . '' All that stuff.
But perhaps the best thing about the classic movie — it's still not The Quiet Man, mind you — is the lesson that happiness can be found right in your own backyard.
Dr. Luis Proenza, the fine president at the University of Akron, might wish to ponder that message as he thinks about what to do after the announcement last week that Athletic Director Mack Rhoades will be leaving to join the University of Houston.
Rhoades did much right for UA. His 31/2-year tenure was filled with growth and improvement in almost every program.
He somehow managed to bring the powers-that-be together to build a football stadium on campus, where it belongs.
The basketball team won the Mid-American Conference tournament last year and went to the NCAA Tournament, and there has been talk of improving the facility.
The soccer team is as
good as any in the country.
This past year, six UA teams won MAC championships, two women's teams had their best seasons and a general feeling of prosperity has permeated the campus.
Of course, Rhoades has some work left in his final weeks.
His top priority is to ensure the stadium opens successfully.
''I feel very, very good about where we are in the process,'' Rhoades said.
He also should extend the contract of basketball coach Keith Dambrot, who has done an outstanding job and deserves security.
That's short term.
The long-term future of the athletic department will be under a different leader.
And when one talks long term at UA, it's relative. Because when Rhoades' successor is named, the Zips will have their third AD since 2000.
Proenza basically has a couple of options.
He can hire one of the high-powered and influential search firms that are involved in many major hiring decisions in college athletics.
These search firms wield tremendous power and influence — to the point of imposing some Draconian terms on candidates.
It's interesting.
Universities spend a lot of money hiring good people, then spend more money so search firms can help search committees.
For a school like UA, the search firm probably would point to a ''rising star,'' someone highly regarded but someone who might not be at UA for the long term.
Rhoades fit that job description.
The positive is that he lived up to the rising-star description, worked hard and did an excellent job for the university.
Three and a half years of Rhoades took UA a long way.
The negative is he did such a good job that bigger schools noticed, and when the right one offered, he took the job — in large part to be closer to his and his wife's families.
Nationwide search?
Going the search firm route is fine; many universities do it. It's how UA found Rhoades, and how Houston matched up with him.
But Proenza could dispatch the executive firm and just take a look around — and he might find he has the right person in his own backyard, a la Dorothy.
That person is Hunter Yurachek, UA's associate athletic director since 2006, when Rhoades hired him.
Yurachek is familiar with Akron, the community and school. He has stated publicly he would like to be considered for the job.
He worked at Wake Forest, Vanderbilt, Western Carolina and Virginia before joining Rhoades at UA.
He has worked closely with Rhoades and clearly would bring some of the same approaches and beliefs to the job that Rhoades held. It's also probably not a stretch to think that Rhoades would like to hire Yurachek at Houston if he's not promoted at UA.
By most reckonings, Yurachek is prepared and ready for the next step. Hiring him would make for a smooth transition.
Continuing to win
The question must be asked: If the university believed in what Rhoades did, would it not make sense to continue what has been built and hire someone from within who is ready, willing and able?
If UA does not appreciate Rhoades' work — or if it wants a different ''rising star'' — it can go with the search firm.
It's possible, though, that the Zips have their rising star right in their backyard.
Just think — the Zips wouldn't even have to close their eyes, click their heels and make a wish to find him.
Patrick McManamon can be reached at pmcmanamon@thebeaconjournal.com. Read his blog at http://www.ohio.com/mcmanamon/. Follow Pat on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/patmcmanamon.
There are many reasons to admire The Wizard of Oz.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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akron, oh
Posted 12:12 PM, 06/16/2009
McManamon,
The premise of your question is flawed. The U of A can love & appreciate what Rhoades did with NO presumption that a current lieutenant is ready for the top job at the U of A.
And THAT should be the question. A good #2 does not automatically make a good #1. The skill sets are different. One is a manager, making the trains run on time (very important). The other is the FACE, the personality, the relationship builder, even the politician.
By who's reckonings do you make your assertions? Don't name them, profile them. Any big or potentially big donors? Any one who will have egg on their resume IF you are wrong about Hunter?
Moreover, what a rediculous premise you persist with:
'If UA does not appreciate Rhoades' work — or if it wants a different ''rising star'' — it can go with the search firm.'
WWWWWHAT? This all presumes you have it ALL nailed. You, with NO skin in this game, should be a little bit circumspect. Unless you do have some skin in...in which case you need to disclose.
Akron, Oh
Posted 03:55 PM, 06/16/2009
"He somehow managed to bring the powers-that-be together to build a football stadium on campus, where it belongs."
Good point, Pat especially when you closed with, "where it belongs". And the same applies to a new arena. It goes on campus where it belongs and not downtown. And if those who like their spin state that downtown is on campus, that's just a big fat lie. Downtown Akron is not The University of Akron and is not part of the campus. If it is then why didn't UA put the stadium downtown like the mayor and his cronies demanded?
Canton, OH
Posted 04:20 PM, 06/16/2009
Man, do I miss Pluto & WindHorst. . .
