Rutgers University Parts Ways with Athletic Director Search Firm
Rutgers University is moving in a new direction today with their Athletic Director search, as they have decided to move on from the search firm (TurnkeyZRG) almost three months after hiring them per a report from NJ Advance Media.
The news comes out just a little over a week after we here at The Knight Report broke the news that the top candidate in the Athletic Director search, Brian Lafemina pulled his name out of the running for the job.
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The search for a new athletic director has been a long one for the university, as they are quickly approaching the one year mark since Pat Hobbs abruptly stepped down from the job back on August 16th, 2024.
Since then, there has been a lot of change within the athletic department as several key figures have now departed the university. Shawn Tucker, the vice president of Athletic Development was named the Rowan University Director of Athletics. Also, interim AD Ryan Pisarri who stepped up after Hobbs resignation for the past 11 months, just recently took the Tufts University Athletic Director job. On top of all that, a report from CollegeAD.com signaled that another member of the department could be leaving too.
Along with the move away from the search firm, new President William F. Tate IV who just started on July 1st, is expected to play a prominent role in the ongoing search according to quotes from a couple of the prominent coaches within the University.
“I have a lot of faith in Amy (Towers), and now President Tate, and the board will choose the right person,” Greg Schiano said at Big Ten Media Days. “Now that President (William) Tate’s on board, now President Tate will handle it. I have total faith that they’re going to pick the right person for Rutgers.”
“Now he’ll be tasked with getting the next athletic director,” Steve Pikiell said on the Pikiell Podcast. “I think this is great because anytime the president and the AD are aligned, this gives him a chance to really put a stamp on the athletic director job. I’m excited that he’s going to get a great AD here for us. Hopefully he takes his time, gets a guy that fits him, and fits his vision. So we’re excited about those two teaming up and helping Rutgers Athletics continue to move in the Big Ten. If he’s a big part of this whole process now, you know he can pick the guy that shares his vision. I think that’s the most important thing now, get a guy that he can work with and that, and can help us in the most difficult time in college athletics.”
Stay tuned for more on the everlasting Rutgers Athletic Director search and other Rutgers Athletics news right here on The Knight Report!
