Tag: Athletic Director

Notre Dame Basketball Great, Former Athletic Director Dies at 91

RIP to a true Notre Dame man.

One of the all-time greats to ever wear a basketball uniform for the University of Notre Dame has died at the age of 91.

Richard (Dick) Rosenthal, who was an All-American basketball player at Notre Dame before playing for the NBA’s Ft. Wayne Pistons, died Tuesday at his home in South Florida.

Rosenthal played three seasons for the Pistons while also spending his off-season serving in the United States Army.  Shortly after his basketball career he got into banking, becoming bank president at St. Joseph Bank & Trust Co. in South Bend, Ind.

After Rosenthal retired from that post in 1987, Notre Dame named him their Director of Athletics.  There he oversaw the athletic department when Notre Dame won its most recent college football national championship as well as many other historic events, including Notre Dame’s entry to the Big East.

Per the South Bend Tribune:

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at The Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the campus of the University of Notre Dame on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 at 2:30 p.m. The Mass will be live-streamed at basilica.nd.edu/sacraments/funerals/funerals-livestream/

Auburn reaches deal with new athletic director

Auburn is hiring within the SEC to find its new athletic director.

The Auburn Tigers have reportedly found their new athletic director for the foreseeable future.

Sports Illustrated’s Ross Dellenger reported on Monday that Auburn has selected Mississippi State athletic director John Cohen to head its athletic department. Cohen is slated to resign from his current post with the Bulldogs and could be named as Auburn’s new athletic director the same day.

Cohen reportedly is signing a five-year contract at $1.5 million a year — a notably higher total than what previous athletic director Allen Greene was paid. Greene made $625 thousand a year, so the significant price increase comes as a sign of commitment for the Tigers in getting their replacement for Greene.

Cohen, who was Mississippi State’s baseball coach from 2009 to 2016, became Mississippi State’s athletic director after its former AD, Scott Stricklin, left for the University of Florida. Cohen has served as an assistant baseball coach with Kentucky and Florida prior to becoming an athletic director, so perhaps his SEC experience was a major catalyst for his hiring.

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Utah State AD John Hartwell listed as the favorite for Auburn job

Could Auburn be closing in on a new athletic director?

While the Auburn Tigers football program is enjoying the open week, there is still plenty of work to be done on and off the field. Given the performance on the recruiting trails and on the gridiron, many believed that this week would be an ample opportunity to make a change.

However, as of Wednesday morning, it hasn’t happened and it doesn’t appear as though it will. It will be business as usual for Bryan Harsin and his staff. Recent reports seem to indicate that the administration is waiting on the hiring of a new athletic director before making any decisions on the future of the second-year head coach. But who could this new AD be?

In an update on the coaching carousel, ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg provided a name with SEC ties that could be the choice for the Tigers in his latest hot seat buzz (subscription required).

Utah State athletic director John Hartwell (an Alabama native who led Troy’s athletic department and spent about a decade as an Ole Miss administrator) is considered a leading candidate, according to sources.

Back in late August following Allen Greene stepping down from his position as the athletic director, Pete Thamel highlighted Hartwell as one of seven potential candidates for the job. Hartwell even said he was interested in an interview in August.

“To be associated with that job is flattering, and I think it is one of the very best jobs in the entire country so if they called, I would absolutely listen.” – Hartwell on Auburn per AL.com

John Hartwell has held the athletic director position at Utah State since 2015. Prior to joining the Aggies, he held the same title for Troy from 2012 to 2015. Hartwell served as the Senior Executive Associate Athletics Director for Ole Miss from 2003 to 2012. During his tenure with the Rebels, Hugh Freeze served as the tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator from 2006 to 2007, he returned as head coach in 2012.

I am just spitballing here, but Freeze and Hartwell could be a package if the administration goes with the Alabama native as their next athletic director. Or perhaps Hartwell pulls a Danny White and brings his head coach with him. It worked for Tennessee.

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Former athletic director Allen Greene says final goodbyes

The former AD had kind words for Auburn and the people that make it.

Former athletic director Allen Greene gave his finals send-off to the Plains on Wednesday.

It was reported earlier in the week that Greene and the university had mutually agreed to part ways. In a release on Auburn’s website, his final “From the Desk of Allen Greene” article outlined his gratitude for the university, boosters, student-athletes and more that were a large part of his tenure on the Plains.

Here is a little bit of what he had to say, including his closing remarks about Auburn:

Together we’ve navigated a pandemic, celebrated two equestrian national championships, and invested in capital projects that will help this Everything School remain competitive for generations. The journey is far greater than the destination. My family and I will forever cherish our Auburn journey and none of it would have been possible without you. It truly has been my pleasure to serve. Today and every day, it’s great to be an Auburn Tiger!

Greene played baseball at Notre Dame in college and served as an assistant athletic director at Ole Miss and Buffalo before becoming Buffalo’s athletic director for four years. He was named Auburn’s athletic director in 2018 and served until just before the fall of 2022.

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Alabama executive deputy AD, Jeff Purinton, to be the next AD at Arkansas State

Jeff Purinton will become the next AD at Arkansas State!

Even off of the football field, the University of Alabama has their employees plucked left and right for new positions. This time, Alabama executive deputy AD, Jeff Purinton, is off to Jonesboro to run the Arkansas State University athletic department.

Purinton has been with Alabama since 2007 and his importance to the university can not be understated. He has been a crucial part of everything that Alabama has done, even prior to the arrival of athletic director Greg Byrne. In the past, Byrne has been linked to the PAC-12 commissioner position, the president of the NCAA, so anyone under the tutelage of Byrne comes in high regard.

In Jonesboro, Purinton will be meeting up with former Alabama staffer and current head football coach, Butch Jones.

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Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

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Sooners’ A.D. releases statement on OU’s Sep. 4 game in New Orleans

With weather concerns growing as Hurricane Ida threatens New Orleans, Sooners Athletic Director Joe Castiglione updated the opener’s status.

Amid weather concerns regarding the potential landfall of Hurricane Ida working it’s way up the Gulf of Mexico, the Oklahoma Sooners Sep. 4 matchup with the Tulane Green Wave has been put in doubt.

As the two universities continue to track the situation, University of Oklahoma Athletic Director Joe Castiglione released a statement Friday about the upcoming season opener.

Statement from OU Vice President and Athletics Director Joe Castiglione:

As the National Weather Service tracks tropical storm and hurricane activity in the Atlantic and Gulf Regions, and as predictive models are updated, we have received many inquiries from fans planning to follow the Sooners to New Orleans next week when we open the 2021 football season at Tulane University. In the spirit of proactive planning and communication, I have been in regular contact with Tulane Athletics Director Troy Dannen for the past month. In the past few days, we have stayed in even closer contact as we continue to monitor the development of Hurricane Ida, which is currently forecasted to arrive along the Gulf Coast this weekend. First and foremost, our concern is with any and all those in the path of the storm. We are praying for everyone’s safety. At this time, the game slated for Saturday, September 4, is still on as planned. However, both universities are considering contingencies should post-storm conditions warrant. It is too early to speculate, but we will continue to monitor the situation and be prepared to take necessary actions as appropriate. Again, our concern rests with our friends at Tulane and all of those who could be impacted by the hurricane. Please follow OU Athletics online accounts for updates. – Courtesy of OU Athletic Department

The Oklahoma Sooners and the Tulane Green Wave will meet for just the second time in their respective histories. The Sooners won the last matchup in a blow out. Next week’s matchup could stay in New Orleans. There’s a possibility the game is rescheduled, relocated, or even cancelled if the weather doesn’t allow for travel.

As the weather situation continues to evolve, the University of Oklahoma will continue to update the status of the Sooners’ opener.

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Report: Tom Izzo blocked as interim athletic director by Michigan State president

Reports: Tom Izzo was blocked as interim AD plus a lot of uncertainty around MSU’s AD search

Michigan State is in a state of void as it pertains to its athletic director search after Bill Beekman stepped away from the position. As the search continues and the school year is set to begin, time is becoming scarce for the Michigan State administration.

As reported to the Detroit Free Press, a group of trustees at Michigan State went to Tom Izzo and requested that he take over the position in an interim basis, until a permanent replacement was found.

Izzo reportedly agreed to do it, knowing it would be in good nature for the university.

President Stanley has made the decision to block that move, citing a candidate will be ready to be brought to the board of trustees in the coming weeks.

Between President Stanley, the board of trustees, Tom Izzo and Mel Tucker, it seems as if there is a lot of disagreement and uncertainty surrounding the search for an athletic director.

You can find the Detroit Free Press’ full report on the situation, here.

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Report: Wisconsin AD Barry Alvarez to retire on June 30

Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez is planning to step down as AD and retire on June 30, according to a report from Jeff Potrykus of

Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez is planning to step down as AD and retire on June 30, according to a report from Jeff Potrykus of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

It was initially reported a few weeks ago that Alvarez was planning to retire. With the date now known, Wisconsin is set to meet for a hiring “process update” tomorrow.

Alvarez came to the Wisconsin football program back in 1990 where he took over as head coach of a program that had gone seven years since their last winning season.

His rise as Wisconsin coach, Rose Bowl victories, memorable moments and eventual transition to athletic director was nothing short of meteoric. It’s safe to say, at this point in time, that Wisconsin athletics would not be where they are today without him and his work.

Stay tuned to BadgersWire today as we look back on Alvarez’s career and go back to the best moments of his 30-year tenure at Wisconsin.

Contact/Follow us @TheBadgersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin news, notes, opinion and analysis.

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WATCH: Scott Stricklin gives update on Florida football and COVID-19

University of Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin put out a statement addressing the COVID-19 outbreak on the school’s football team.

As Florida football operations have now been paused for 10 days due to an outbreak of COVID-19 that has seen 25 players test positive since Oct. 12, Athletic Director Scott Stricklin put out a statement addressing the situation.

Stricklin said that several players were suffering from mild symptoms but traveled to College Station, Tex., with the team for its game against Texas A&M on Oct. 10. Several of those players apparently tested positive on Sunday after the team returned to Gainesville.

“Following our last road trip, we have evaluated all phases of team travel to better understand how we can enhance the safety and health protocols,” he said. “It’s believed that a couple of individuals who just a day before the trip had tested negative for COVID through the SEC testing protocol, developed mild symptoms that they attributed to allergies or the common cold, and then boarded the team plane on that Friday. Those same individuals subsequently tested positive for COVID that Sunday of that week.”

Stricklin said that as a result, the team began testing daily. After officially reporting five new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, multiple reports confirmed that the actual number of positive tests at that time was 19. That day, the UAA suspended all football activities.

“Of course, our staff immediately began testing daily, and as more positive cases developed, all team activities were paused, effective Oct. 13,” Stricklin said. “All staff and players on the Texas A&M trip were instructed to quarantine and participate in daily testing through Oct. 26, and that continues.”

The most recent testing update, released on Tuesday with information as of Monday, showed that a total of 25 players have tested positive since the UAA initially announced five last week. Stricklin said that before any of these players return, they will undergo extensive health screenings, including a cardiac evaluation.

There is some evidence that COVID-19 can lead to long-term heart problems, including diseases such as myocarditis, which factored into the Big Ten’s decision to postpone the start of the season.

“Before our student-athletes who are infected return to activity, they will complete a cardiac evaluation that includes a troponin level test, an electrocardiogram and an echocardiogram,” Stricklin said. “The student-athletes will also have a complete medical evaluation by UF Health physicians.”

In spite of the last week’s events, Stricklin said he’s confident that the program is prepared to take care of student-athletes and that they are in a safe environment.

“The Gators sports health staff continues with telehealth with our players and staff, and our nutrition staff has been delivering food as well to student-athletes,” he said. “Likewise, our academic advising unit continues to assist our student-athletes virtually… We remain hopeful that through our experts at UF Health and our sports health staff, along with the guidance from the SEC medical task force, Gators student-athletes are in the safest environment possible as they pursue their academic and athletic goals.”

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Players will now be expected to stand during ‘The Eyes of Texas’

Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte and head coach Tom Herman met with the team on Wednesday night to discuss the ‘Eyes of Texas.’

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Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte will now expect players to remain on the field postgame for the playing of ‘The Eyes of Texas.’ Continue reading “Players will now be expected to stand during ‘The Eyes of Texas’”